Climate expert fired as he turned down flight and instead took 50 days to reach research destination

The research on the impact of climate change on indigenous communities was conducted for the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW).

Grimalda’s return to Germany was delayed from July until September 10 after he was taken hostage and robbed.

The institution arranged a flight to take the climate expert back but he refused to board it due to its damage to the environment.

Grimalda instead persuaded the IfW to let him travel by other means to reduce his carbon emissions.

He was given until October 14 to return to Germany but claimed it was not possible and the journey would take longer.

Grimalda’s route, which included travelling by cargo ship, ferry, bus and train, would take 50 days.

The single-day flight would have emitted 3.6 tonnes of CO2 but his much longer journey would emit just 400 kilos.

Grimalda’s employers rejected his plan and warned he would be dismissed if he refused to get on the plane.

The expert’s contract was later terminated and he has reportedly launched legal action against IfW.

Speaking to Tagesspiegel, he said: “If I have to comply with such demands to keep my job, I'd rather lose it.”

ABC reported that he had announced legal action against the IfW.

Writing in The Guardian, he said: “I would like to invite people to shift the boundaries of what is considered normal within their own sphere of action.

“Putting responsibility on the average individual may be seen as a way to let those who are really responsible off the hook.

“When I arrive in Europe in about 45 days, I will be jobless.

"If, on my way, I manage to persuade people that our planet is seriously endangered and that radical, extraordinary action is needed, losing my job will have been a price worth paying.”

In a statement, the IfW said: “In principle, we do not comment publicly on internal and confidential staff matters. In general, the institute supports its employees in environmentally friendly business travel.

“We strive to avoid air travel as much as possible, but only in Germany and Europe.

“If flights cannot be avoided because the journey is too long, we finance emission compensation measures through Atmosfair.”