We are writing to express our alarm at your decision to launch a multimillion dollar lawsuit against Greenpeace for peacefully protesting on a Shell oil drilling platform in early 2023. The suit is one of the biggest attacks on Greenpeace’s right to protest in the organisation’s 53 year history.
The protest in question was an exercise of the right to free expression and assembly, which is protected by both domestic and international law. The Greenpeace activists were demanding that Shell stop drilling for new oil and gas and use its vast resources to support communities least able to respond to the impacts of climate change. These are entirely legitimate demands and your transparent attempt to intimidate them is outrageous and frankly dangerous.
It is particularly unsettling that one of the defendants in your suit, Yeb Sano, was spurred to take action by the destruction of his hometown, Tacloban in the Philippines, by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Given abundant evidence suggesting that fossil fuel-driven climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of storms, the decision to sue Mr Sano for his protest can only be viewed as an attempt to silence his legitimate demands for climate justice.
Despite abundant advertising proclaiming Shell’s alleged green credentials, since beginning your tenure as Chief Executive you have slashed investment and jobs from your renewables division, abandoned plans to cut production and pledged to continue exploring for new oil and gas – while climate chaos rages around the world.
The world’s leading experts, including the International Energy Agency, are clear: exploration for and extraction of new fossil fuels must end immediately if we are to meet globally agreed climate goals and to avoid the very worst impacts of the climate crisis. Your decision to pivot in the name of profit back towards increasing oil and gas production will not only tie households to expensive energy bills for longer, but endanger the future of everyone on earth – with those who have done the least to contribute to the crisis hit first and worst.
You may believe that this lawsuit will dissuade all those justifiably alarmed by the impact your industry is having on the planet and the people who live on it from expressing their dissent through protest. On the contrary, it makes your company look callous and vindictive and will serve only to increase support for organisations like Greenpeace who seek to hold you to account.
In light of the above, we call on you to respect people’s right to protest against climate change; cease the development of new oil and gas; and use your immense wealth to help those countries and communities most impacted by the climate crisis that you have played no small part in creating.
Kind regards,
- Aisling Bea, comedian and actress
- Ali Rocha, founder, Brazil Matters
- Alison Goldfrapp, musician and producer
- Dr Amir Khan- NHS Doctor and Author
- Bella Ramsey, actress
- Benedict Cumberbatch, actor
- Bill McKibben, Founder of 350.org and Third Act
- Chris Packham, TV presenter and conservationist
- Elisabeth Bast, Executive Director, Oil Change International
- Emma Thompson, actress and screenwriter
- Extinction Rebellion
- Florence Garabedian, Interim CEO, Friends of the Earth Scotland
- George Monbiot, author, journalist and environmental activist
- Greta Thunberg, climate justice activist
- Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, chef and TV personality
- Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director and Vice President of Oceana
- Imelda Staunton, actress
- Jim Carter, actor
- Johan Frijns, Executive Director, Banktrack
- Louise Hazan, Co-Director of Tipping Point UK
- Mikaela Loach, climate justice organiser and author of “It’s Not That Radical”
- Mike Davis, CEO of Global Witness
- Miriam Turner and Hugh Knowles, co Executive Directors of Friends of the Earth
- Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now
- Ocean Rebellion
- Paapa Essiedu, actor
- Paloma Faith, singer-songwriter and actress
- Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK
- Simon Pegg, actor and comedian
- Sophie Hunter, theatre director and playwright
- Stephen Fry, actor and broadcaster
- Tessa Khan, Executive Director and Founder of Uplift
- Will Poulter, actor
- David Lindo, broadcaster, writer and naturalist
- Cel Spellman, actor and presenter
- Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Founder and President of Black2Nature
- Seán Burke, comedian
This letter has also been signed by over 110,000 members of the public.
