This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63543307

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Just Stop Oil: What is it and what are its goals? Just Stop Oil: What is it and what are its goals?
(2 days later)
Just Stop Oil has carried out many high-profile protests, including blocking roads, stopping play at sports matches and halting theatre productions.Just Stop Oil has carried out many high-profile protests, including blocking roads, stopping play at sports matches and halting theatre productions.
It wants action on climate change, but its tactics have faced criticism.It wants action on climate change, but its tactics have faced criticism.
What is Just Stop Oil and what are its aims?What is Just Stop Oil and what are its aims?
Just Stop Oil wants the UK to stop allowing the production of fossil fuels, which are a major cause of climate change. Just Stop Oil wants the UK to stop agreeing new fossil fuel projects, which are a major cause of climate change.
It wants the government to "immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK".It wants the government to "immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK".
However, in July 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that 100 new North Sea licences had been granted.However, in July 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that 100 new North Sea licences had been granted.
Just Stop Oil is linked to other environmental groups, including Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain.Just Stop Oil is linked to other environmental groups, including Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain.
What does net zero mean?What does net zero mean?
Where does the UK get its energy and electricity?Where does the UK get its energy and electricity?
Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets?Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets?
What are Just Stop Oil's tactics?What are Just Stop Oil's tactics?
Just Stop Oil activists have staged a series of high-profile protests. They have:Just Stop Oil activists have staged a series of high-profile protests. They have:
Closed roads, including the M25 motorwayClosed roads, including the M25 motorway
Stopped a theatre performance of Les Miserables in LondonStopped a theatre performance of Les Miserables in London
Interrupted a BBC Proms concert at the Royal Albert HallInterrupted a BBC Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall
Stopped play at the Wimbledon tennis championshipsStopped play at the Wimbledon tennis championships
Disrupted the second Ashes Test at Lord'sDisrupted the second Ashes Test at Lord's
Interrupted play at the World Snooker ChampionshipInterrupted play at the World Snooker Championship
Thrown soup at Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers, at the National GalleryThrown soup at Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers, at the National Gallery
Activists interrupted Les Miserables during a performance of its famous protest song Do You Hear The People Sing?Activists interrupted Les Miserables during a performance of its famous protest song Do You Hear The People Sing?
Like Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain, Just Stop Oil says it uses "non-violent civil resistance" to make its point.Like Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain, Just Stop Oil says it uses "non-violent civil resistance" to make its point.
The group says it will end protests when the government comes up with a solution to end fossil-fuel production.The group says it will end protests when the government comes up with a solution to end fossil-fuel production.
Is it legal for Just Stop Oil to block roads?Is it legal for Just Stop Oil to block roads?
No. The maximum penalty for the wilful obstruction of a highway in England and Wales is 51 weeks in prison. Offenders can also be fined.No. The maximum penalty for the wilful obstruction of a highway in England and Wales is 51 weeks in prison. Offenders can also be fined.
Several transport bodies, including National Highways and Transport for London, have sought High Court injunctions to prevent protesters disrupting major roads.Several transport bodies, including National Highways and Transport for London, have sought High Court injunctions to prevent protesters disrupting major roads.
Anyone breaching an injunction can be held in contempt of court, and could face imprisonment, an unlimited fine and seizure of assets.Anyone breaching an injunction can be held in contempt of court, and could face imprisonment, an unlimited fine and seizure of assets.
The man angrily confronted the protesters - Credit: Dominic ConquestThe man angrily confronted the protesters - Credit: Dominic Conquest
The man angrily confronted the protesters - Credit: Dominic ConquestThe man angrily confronted the protesters - Credit: Dominic Conquest
What does it cost to police Just Stop Oil protests?What does it cost to police Just Stop Oil protests?
In July 2023, the Metropolitan Police said attending the group's 515 protests in London since April had cost it £7.7m, the equivalent of 23,500 officer shifts.In July 2023, the Metropolitan Police said attending the group's 515 protests in London since April had cost it £7.7m, the equivalent of 23,500 officer shifts.
During the period, the Met issued 420 Section 12 orders to clear roads, and arrested more than 270 people.During the period, the Met issued 420 Section 12 orders to clear roads, and arrested more than 270 people.
The Met also spent £7.5m policing the group's activities between October and December 2022.The Met also spent £7.5m policing the group's activities between October and December 2022.
"This isn't protest, this is crime - and there is a difference," said assistant commissioner Matt Twist."This isn't protest, this is crime - and there is a difference," said assistant commissioner Matt Twist.
But Just Stop Oil points to a Supreme Court ruling in 2021 which found there should be a "certain degree of tolerance to disruption to ordinary life, including the disruption of traffic", as a result of non-violent protest.But Just Stop Oil points to a Supreme Court ruling in 2021 which found there should be a "certain degree of tolerance to disruption to ordinary life, including the disruption of traffic", as a result of non-violent protest.
What else is the government doing to tackle protests?What else is the government doing to tackle protests?
In May and June 2023, Parliament passed new anti-protest legislation under the Public Order Act.In May and June 2023, Parliament passed new anti-protest legislation under the Public Order Act.
This gives new powers to prosecute someone who interferes with the operation or use of key national infrastructure in England and Wales - including roads, railways, and air transport.This gives new powers to prosecute someone who interferes with the operation or use of key national infrastructure in England and Wales - including roads, railways, and air transport.
Previously, the police could generally only restrict a protest if they could show it may result in "serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community".Previously, the police could generally only restrict a protest if they could show it may result in "serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community".
The new legislation lowers the threshold for "serious disruption", allowing police to respond to action which prevents or delays day-to-day activities such as completing a journey.The new legislation lowers the threshold for "serious disruption", allowing police to respond to action which prevents or delays day-to-day activities such as completing a journey.
It also made "locking-on" - whereby protesters attach themselves to buildings, objects or other people - a criminal offence.It also made "locking-on" - whereby protesters attach themselves to buildings, objects or other people - a criminal offence.
Who funds Just Stop Oil?Who funds Just Stop Oil?
According to its website, most of its money comes from the Climate Emergency Fund - a US network set up in 2019 to fund climate activism.According to its website, most of its money comes from the Climate Emergency Fund - a US network set up in 2019 to fund climate activism.
That is part-funded by US philanthropist Aileen Getty, the granddaughter of petroleum tycoon J Paul Getty.That is part-funded by US philanthropist Aileen Getty, the granddaughter of petroleum tycoon J Paul Getty.
Just Stop Oil says it also receives donations from the public and other organisations concerned about climate change.Just Stop Oil says it also receives donations from the public and other organisations concerned about climate change.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Extinction RebellionExtinction Rebellion
UK climate change protestsUK climate change protests
ClimateClimate
Insulate BritainInsulate Britain
Just Stop OilJust Stop Oil
Carbon neutralityCarbon neutrality