BP’s London headquarters blockaded by Greenpeace climate change protesters

Activists, calling for end to new fossil fuel drilling, lift in five large containers to prevent access to building ahead of oil giant’s AGM

Ben Chapman
Monday 20 May 2019 13:11 BST
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Greenpeace shut down BP's London headquarters

Climate change activists blocked entry into BP’s London headquarters on Monday, demanding an end to new oil and gas exploration.

Greenpeace protesters lifted five large containers into place in front of the doors to the oil giant’s offices in St James Square at around 3am while other campaigners abseiled down the side of the building to unfurl banners across windows.

Two activists are inside each container with enough supplies to last at least a week, Greenpeace said.

Ahead of BP’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, Greenpeace is demanding more action on the climate emergency.

“Business as usual is just not an option,” said Greenpeace activist Paul Morozzo. “BP is fuelling a climate emergency that threatens millions of lives and the future of the living world.

“The science is clear – we must stop searching for new oil and gas if we want a liveable planet. BP must clean up or clear out.”

Last week, a group of investors holding £10bn of BP’s shares announced a resolution forcing the company to be more transparent about the risks it faces from climate change.

Under the resolution, BP would have to provide a detailed strategy on how it will comply with the Paris agreement which seeks to keep global temperature rises to 1.5C or below.

Experts have warned that the vast majority of fossil fuel reserves which are currently in the ground must stay there if the 1.5C goal is to be achieved.

Yet research published last month by Global Witness revealed that large fossil fuel companies are planning to spend a staggering $5 trillion (£4trillion) exploring for, and extracting, more oil and gas over the next decade.

BP invested around $16bn to exploit new oil and gas reserves last year, compared to just $500m on alternative energy sources,

In a statement, BP said: “We welcome discussion, debate, even peaceful protest on the important matter of how we must all work together to address the climate challenge, but impeding safe entry and exit from an office building in this way is dangerous and clearly a matter for the police to resolve as swiftly as possible.”

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