Oil giant’s HQ blocked by Extinction Rebellion

Activists hope to hold firm to account for ‘destroying future’

Climate change activists have blocked the entrance to the headquarters of oil giant Shell in Aberdeen.

Extinction Rebellion Scotland members began their protest at the premises in Altens at 6.30am yesterday with plans to stay there all day.

The group said around 50 activists gathered at the three entrances, with some of the protesters locked together.

They blocked a road with XR Scotland’s big purple boat, named Amal Gous.

Extinction Rebellion Scotland said it planned to shut the building down to disrupt business and hold Shell to account for its role in the climate crisis.

Police said they were called to the scene at around 6.45am yesterday.

One of the protesters, who gave his name as Paul, 43, from Aberdeenshire, said: “If the whole world reaches zero carbon emissions by 2030, we only have a 75% chance of staying below (an increase of) 2C.

“These are terrible odds and by committing to continued production decades into the future, Shell is literally destroying our future.

“The more successful fossil fuel companies like Shell are, the worse our future is going to be. We have to stop them carrying on as if their product does no harm.”

The purple boat bore the words “The Future You Fear Is Already Here”, a reminder that “catastrophic” climate change is already under way across the planet.

The action is part of Rig Rebellion 2.0, a two-week campaign by Extinction Rebellion Scotland targeting the fossil fuel industry and the institutions which support it.

A Shell spokesman said: “The heightened awareness of climate change that we have seen over recent months is a good thing. As a company, we agree that urgent action is needed.

“What will really accelerate change is effective policy, investment in technology innovation and deployment, and changing customer behaviour.

Police said officers were at the scene of a “peaceful protest” outside the Shell premises.

Chief Inspector Davie Howieson, local area commander for Aberdeen South, said: “The road was blocked from around 6.45am on Thursday January 16 and road users are advised to avoid the area for the time being.

“We are liaising with both Shell and the protest organisers, Extinction Rebellion.”

Picture: PA. Extinction Rebellion Scotland blocking the entrance with its big purple boat.

Activists outside Shell’s headquarters in Aberdeen.