Greenpeace protesters have blockaded the entrance the BP headquarters in central London, accusing the oil giant of fuelling a “climate emergency that threatens millions of lives”.
On the eve of the company’s annual general meeting, volunteers are staging a week-long protest calling for BP to switch entirely to renewable energy and scrap exploration for new oil and gas, or shutdown operations and “go out of business”.
Overnight, activists from the environmental group encased themselves in containers “weighing several tonnes each” outside the building in St James’ Square, with pictures showing demonstrators sitting on top of the containers wearing yellow construction helmets.
Climbers are also abseiling from the top of the building and blocking out windows with letters to form ‘CLIMATE EMERGENCY’.
“We’ve just shut down BP’s HQ. Volunteers have set up camp inside 5 containers blocking the building’s entrances,” the group tweeted.
“This is a #ClimateEmergency and there is no place for companies like @BP_plc in our future. #BPshutdown.”
Greenpeace activist, Paul Morozzo, said: “We’re shutting down BP’s HQ because business as usual is just not an option. 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.”
BP has backed a motion at the AGM on Tuesday, in which it will need to demonstrate how it is aligned with the Paris climate agreement.
The demonstration comes weeks after climate activist group Extinction Rebellion shutdown some of London’s busiest roads.