Climate activists protest outside Shell’s London HQ against controversial new North Sea gas field

Climate activists gathered outside Shell’s London headquarters today demanding the firm cease plans to open a controversial new gas field in the North Sea.

The energy giant is seeking permission from the UK Government to develop a site known as Jackdaw off the coast of Aberdeen.

Green activists say the plan is incompatible with the International Energy Agency’s comments that no new oil and gas wells should open if net-zero emissions are to be achieved by 2050.

Outside Shell HQ on London’s South Bank, the group Fossil Free London opened banners and gave speeches as a brass band played songs with lyrics calling for climate justice.

The protest lasted for an hour before the protestors marched to Downing Street among the rolling drums of a samba band.

Lauren MacDonald, from the Stop Cambo Campaign, told the crowd: "If we are to have any shot of having a livable future there must be no oil and gas projects approved.

"That is the message the scientific community has given us, loud and clear. We do not have a choice, we cannot let Jackdaw go ahead.

Shell announced record-breaking profits of $9 billion last week for the first quarter, triple the $3.2 billion it made last year.

Labour has suggested the Government introduce a windfall tax on energy companies such as Shell who have seen massive profits in the wake of coronavirus and the war in Ukraine driving up prices of oil and gas.

The company also said that over the next decade it is planning to invest £20 to £25 billion in the UK energy system with 75 per cent of that going towards low-carbon sources. However, last year it also said it would invest over £30 billion in natural gas.