Six Members of Climate Camp Scotland Arrested for Breaching Security at Grangemouth Oil Refinery

The group claimed that they had "occupied" the Ineos gas power station which powers the refinery on Saturday afternoon, following a "day of resistance" from the group.

The group has set up a protest camp at nearby Kinneil Park.

Police Scotland confirmed that several arrests had been made, with images emerging of four people holding a banner reading "Climate Justice for Grangemouth" on the roof of the Ineos plant.

Climate Camp organiser Jess Johannesson said that the four were arrested, bringing the total to six arrests so far.

The group claims that the chemical giant Ineos is "Scotland's biggest polluter", but the multinational firm denies the claim and says it operates a "safe, sustainable business" that meets its climate responsibilities.

Ineos pumps out about 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to figures obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) by campaigners.

Activists said that the site could be renewed with sustainable jobs and industries, and called for an end to the current energy system that they claim only benefits CEOs of energy companies.

They also highlighted the impact of living next to the petrochemical site, as well as the impact on the environment and climate change.

The Grangemouth climate camp is expected to run for the week and is open to everyone.

The group has invited locals to speak about the impact of living next to the petrochemical site, as well as a former worker in the oil industry.

The group is holding workshops on the climate crisis, including on fuel poverty and what a just transition might look like, as well as fun and family-friendly activities.

A spokesperson for Ineos wished those taking part in the event a "safe week", while Police Scotland said a comprehensive policing plan was in place to maintain people's safety and enable peaceful protest.

Ineos, one of the world's largest chemical companies, has defended its record on climate change, highlighting its role as a provider of essential raw materials for a wide range of products and its efforts to reduce emissions.

The company's statement comes after a recent report by the Guardian that claimed Ineos was "single-handedly responsible for around 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions" due to its production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent greenhouse gas.

Ineos acknowledged that it is the world's largest producer of HFCs, which are used in refrigeration and as a propellant in aerosol cans.

However, the company also pointed out that it has made significant investments in reducing emissions and is working towards being a net zero manufacturer by 2045.

The company noted that it has reduced emissions by nearly 40% since it bought the Grangemouth site in 2006 and has plans to reduce emissions by more than 65% using hydrogen and carbon capture.

Ineos also emphasized its role as a provider of essential raw materials for a wide range of products, from mobile phones to medical products, cars, buses, and trains, tents, waterproofs, and training shoes.

The company said, "We provide many of the basic raw materials that are essential to many of the products that we all use on a daily basis, from mobile phones, to water and gas pipes, to medical products, cars, buses and trains, tents, waterproofs and training shoes." Ineos's statement highlights the complexities of addressing climate change and the need for companies to balance the production of essential goods with efforts to reduce emissions.