Shell AGM disrupted as climate protesters attempt to 'occupy' London summit

Climate protestors attempted to storm the stage of Shell’s annual shareholder meeting.

Security stepped in to prevent the activists from reaching the firm’s chairman, Sir Andrew Mackenzie and other board members at the gathering in London.

Footage on social media showed protestors being carried out of the venue by security.

The group, Fossil Free London said more than 20 people attempted to “occupy the stage”.

Around 30 activists also halted proceedings by singing and shouting as the meeting was delayed by around an hour.

Joanna Warrington from Fossil Free London said: “Shell is setting our house on fire to fuel their own obscene profits – we have to shut them down.

“Oil and gas are driving extreme weather and climate collapse, from lethal floods in Pakistan to freak heat-waves in the UK, yet Shell is doubling down on these dirty, dangerous fuels.

“People are struggling under swelling energy bills, yet Shell continues to rake in billions of pounds by profiteering from fuel poverty and war in Ukraine.

“If we want a safe climate and affordable energy, then we have to stop new oil and gas. That’s why we’re calling on Wael Sawan and the bosses of Shell to look beyond their fat pay checks and to shut down Shell. If they don’t, an avalanche of protest will do it for them.”

The pressure on oil and gas firms has been mounting as many have announced record global annual profits.

Shell said it made £32.bn for 2022 with BP also stating earnings were £23bn for last year.

At the meeting today many investors challenged the board on the climate targets set by the firm.

A resolution from the activist investor group, Follow This was designed to speed up the oil giant’s decarbonisation plans.

Shell chairman, Sir Andrew Mackenzie said it would “reduce our ability to help the world”.

A Shell spokesperson said: “We respect people’s right to express their point of view and welcome any constructive engagement on our strategy and energy transition.

“However, yet again protestors have shown that they are not interested in constructive engagement.

“Shell has a clear target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 and we believe our climate targets are aligned with the more ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change.”