'Architects of the climate emergency' plaques presented to Shell and BP

Jesuit Fr Paul Nicholson unveils a plaque in front of Shell, Credit: CAFOD

Source: CAFOD

A group of campaigners from faith groups such as CAFOD, Jesuit Missions, Faith for the Climate, Christian Climate Action and Green Christian unveiled a mock 'blue plaque' outside the offices of Shell and BP on 15 September as they were pronounced 'architects of the climate emergency'.

The unveiling was part of three days of action, billed as a 'Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels,' with millions of people expected to take part across multiple continents.

Shell and BP are continuing to invest billions of pounds into new oil and gas projects, with both companies' fossil fuel investments dwarfing their renewable energy portfolios.

International bodies and individuals such as the International Energy Agency, the UN Secretary General and Pope Francis have warned that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with efforts to keep global temperature rises below the crucial 1.5C level.

The stunt was also ahead of a UN 'Climate Ambition Summit' being convened by Secretary General António Guterres on Wednesday 20 September, with world leaders expected to present updated targets for cutting emissions and moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Liam Finn, Campaigns Manager at CAFOD, said: "This is a reminder to Shell and BP of how they will be viewed by history. Fossil fuel companies have known for decades that burning fossil fuels is burning the earth, yet are continuing to profit from the destruction of our climate. While these companies are making record profits, communities around the world who have done the least to contribute to the climate crisis are paying the price."

Dr Shanon Shah, Director of Faith for the Climate, said: "This is a call for integrity in actions and intentions from Shell and BP. History will judge those who denied and suppressed knowledge about their role in causing the climate crisis, and for lying about their lack of urgent and meaningful action in the present and future, including these companies. Shell and BP owe this to those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are suffering its worst impacts overwhelmingly because of the fossil fuel industry."

Holly-Anna Petersen from Christian Climate Action said: "These companies are treating us, the public, like we're stupid. They are charging sky-high energy bills, in a cost-of-living crisis, while at the same time making record profits. And to rub salt in the wound, we're also giving them money through our taxes in the form of fossil fuel subsidies. They don't need it. Our money should be going to schools and the NHS, rather than these greedy corporations that are stealing a future from our children. Renewables are cleaner and cheaper, so it's high time our leaders stopped being in bed with fossil fuel dinosaurs and made green alternatives a viable option on a large scale."

'Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels' https://fightfossilfuels.net/press-release-actions

UN 'Climate Ambition Summit' www.un.org/en/climatechange/climate-ambition-summit