Greenpeace Activists Spark Social Distancing Protest at BP AGM

Greenpeace Shows Up Outside BP’s Big Meeting

On Wednesday, a trio of Greenpeace activists staged a socially‑distanced protest right outside BP’s annual general meeting – broadcast live from the company’s headquarters in London’s St James’s Square.

What the Protestors Said

They held a banner that read: “BP: Time to go renewable” – a bold call for the oil giant to switch to clean energy.

Senior climate campaigner Mel Evans was quick to tell the crowd, “Bernard Looney promised to re‑imagine BP, but all we’ve seen are empty words and little real action.”

Key Points from Evans

Looney claims commitment to “net‑zero,” yet also says BP will stay in the oil and gas business “for a very long time.”
Evans argues the only real way to cut BP’s climate impact is to stop drilling for new oil and gas.
She warns that investors can expect more turmoil if the company continues its dual approach.

Security and Police Response

Security guards confirmed Dr. Looney was present for the live broadcast. The police arrived on scene and cleared the protestors, letting them stay in place while officials managed the event.

Green Group Letter to BP

Coinciding with the protest, several green organisations – including WWF, RSPB, and Global Witness – released an open letter to Mr. Looney. The letter, signed by eight groups, posed five hard questions:

What do these contradictory messages mean for investors, workers, and the climate target of halving emissions this decade?
When will BP stop exploring for new oil and gas?
Will BP retire its North Sea assets and support investment and jobs in offshore wind and decommissioning oil rigs?
Will BP reduce its absolute emissions, rather than chasing a “net‑zero” plan based on unfeasible offsets?
Will the company shift capital expenditure to heavy renewable investment?

Industry Context

BP’s AGM comes amid a turbulent period for the oil industry. Demand dropped nearly 30% in April, with another 20% decline expected in May. The resulting price slump has seen Brent Crude fall from around $65 to just $30 per barrel.

Looney recently told the Financial Times, “It’s getting more likely oil will be less in demand… Could it be peak oil?”