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Just Stop Oil: What is it and what are its goals? Just Stop Oil: What is it and what are its goals?
(14 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 are controversial.
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 agreeing new fossil fuel projects, which are a major cause of climate change. Just Stop Oil wants the UK to stop approving 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".
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.
In the King's Speech, the government said that licences for oil and gas projects in the North Sea would be awarded annually.
Ahead of the speech, ministers said the new arrangements would "bolster energy security", but Labour criticised the plans.
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: The group came to prominence when its activists shut down major roads such as the M25 and Dartford crossing in November 2022.
Closed roads, including the M25 motorway The group has also targeted several major sporting events, including the Wimbledon tennis championships, the second Ashes Test at Lord's cricket ground and the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
Stopped a theatre performance of Les Miserables in London The World Snooker Championship match at the Crucible, in Sheffield, was abandoned after Just Stop Oil's intervention
Interrupted a BBC Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall Cultural events, including a performance of the musical Les Miserables in London and a BBC Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall, have also been disrupted.
Stopped play at the Wimbledon tennis championships In October 2022, two Just Stop Oil supporters threw tomato soup over Vincent Van Gogh's painting Sunflowers at London's National Gallery. The painting was undamaged.
Disrupted the second Ashes Test at Lord's In November 2023, activists targeted another piece of art in the same gallery, smashing the protective glass screen on Diego Velazquez's Rokeby Venus with safety hammers. The artwork was previously slashed by suffragette Mary Richardson in 1914.
Interrupted play at the World Snooker Championship On the same day as the painting was attacked, the Met Police said it arrested about 100 protesters after a slow march blocked Whitehall, the road which runs past Downing Street and other government buildings.
Thrown soup at Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers, at the National Gallery Just Stop Oil says it uses "non-violent civil resistance" to make its point, and that it will end its protests when the government announces an end to fossil-fuel production.
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.
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. 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
How else is the government tackling Just Stop Oil protests?
In May and June 2023, Parliament passed new anti-protest legislation under the Public Order Act.
This gives 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".
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.
Many Just Stop Oil protesters have used bike locks and superglue to attach themselves to roads and other objects in order to slow down police efforts to remove them.
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 quotes 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?
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.
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.
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 funding climate activism since 2019.
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 neutrality Net zero