Oil and Gas News
Greenpeace Protesters Target UK PM Sunak's Home Over Energy Policy
Greenpeace protesters took their campaign against the UK government's oil drilling policy to the private home of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In a dramatic demonstration, four protesters climbed atop Sunak's property in northern England and covered it with black fabric, while two others held a banner that read "RISHI SUNAK - OIL PROFITS OR OUR FUTURE?" The protest aimed to challenge the government's decision to grant hundreds of licences for North Sea oil and gas extraction, as well as its approval of the first new deep coal mine in decades.
The UK had previously adopted a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 under former Prime Minister Theresa May, but campaigners have criticized the government's environmental record in recent years. Despite commitments to renewable energy capacity, the government's approval of more oil and gas extraction projects has drawn criticism from environmental groups like Greenpeace.
Sunak's office defended the government's energy security approach, stating that it aims to use domestic resources to reduce reliance on external suppliers like Vladimir Putin's Russia. Sunak himself defended his environmental record, asserting that the UK has outperformed other major countries in cutting carbon emissions.
The protest reflects growing public concern over the government's handling of environmental issues, with a recent poll showing that 67% of voters believe the government is managing these matters poorly, the worst rating since mid-2019. Greenpeace emphasized the need for the prime minister to become a climate leader rather than a "climate arsonist," indicating the urgency for stronger climate action to safeguard the future.