Trump bought land (Menie) for a golf course in 2006 and work started after a faltering planning process in 2009. The planned construction posed a risk to a special sand dune system that was marked as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The planning approval was opposed by the Scottish Natural Heritage during the consultation, and included a 200-person protest in 2007 led by Sustainable Aberdeenshire; but nevertheless the SNP Scottish executive approved the application in 2008.  Tripping up Trump was a campaign group set up to tackle the planned golf course by purchasing a part of Michael Forbes' farm in 2010; protest also included a 6000 person petition; a march on to the golf course took place in 2011; nevertheless the golf course went ahead and opened in 2012, although the compulsory purchase order (CPO) was dropped in the face of poor publicity and the TrippingUpTrump campaign and opposition from Brian May. There was also ongoing protest, including airing of the protest documentary "You've Been Trumped" on BBC.  Trump went on to seek to overturn the planning permission granted to a nearby wind farm, which he claimed spoiled the view and would lead to him ceasing to build the planned hotel at the golf course. This saw another round of protests, including a protest outside the public hearing.  He lost the challenge and the wind farm went ahead, prompting the initial hotel plan to be ditched (also amid difficulties with planning).

Number of protest events: (at least 6 reported)

Time of campaign:  5 years (2007-2012) (1825 days)

Type of actions: combination of demonstrations, damage to property, trespass on golf course, petition, and media campaign 

Level of disruption caused by protest: minimal - all protests effectively non-disruptive (2)

Reputation damage:  high - high levels of media attention and considerable public outcry (3)

Included legal action: yes (partially successful), Molly Forbes took to court (and lost); and SNP eventually opposed Trump over the windfarm dispute (having earlier supported his planning application for the golf course) (2.5)

Political support (opposition): yes, Green MSP Andy Wightman produced a report highlighting the problems  - and Caroline Lucas MP also joined the campaign (1)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (self-organised group, Tripping up Trump) (1)

type of goals: prevent individual construction project 

scale of goals: large/substantial - seek to oppose major construction project  (3)

type of target: corporation (2)

immediate perceptible impact? yes - construction would directly impact on residents (1)

outcome:  substantial achievement (2) - the hotel was never built, the CPO never went ahead, but the gold course was constructed 

sources:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8648975.stm

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/26/donald-trump-scotland-golf-protest

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/golf-course-protest-as-donald-trump-turns-up-for-honorary-degree-qkkrf89x69t

https://bright-green.org/2016/11/05/21-acts-of-defiance-scottish-peoples-10-year-war-against-trump-and-the-politicans-who-backed-him/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/27/donald-trump-david-puttnam

https://web.archive.org/web/20120319044006/http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2114299

good overall summary here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffpages/uploads/csc385/B5._ECOS_2013_Trumps_golf_course_-_societys_nature.pdf 

http://www.andywightman.com/docs/trumpreport_v1a.pdf

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/the-biggest-trump-financial-mystery-where-he-came-up-with-the-cash-for-his-scottish-resorts/

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/councillors-back-mini-trumpton-despite-20256472

In January 2011 the Government announced plans to sell off forestry owned by the Forestry Commission - prompting widespread opposition, with large majority of the public opposing it and an online petition signed by 500,000 , a protest at Forest of Dean of 3000 people, another in Gateshead Wood, another at Chopwell Wood, a 1000-person protest at Grizedale forest, a protest at one consultation meeting where the local MP had to be rescued from the 400 protesters who turned up, another at Alice Holt Forest, plus very negative inputs into the consultation - eventually led to the Government dropping the idea after only 3 weeks due to the highly negative responses to the proposal. Much of the opposition was organised by the campaign group, Hands Off Our Forest (HOOF).

Number of protest events: 7 events reported

Time of campaign:  3 weeks (21 days)

Type of actions:  demonstrations and petition

Level of disruption caused by protest:  minimal (2) (the project never started so no obvious opportunities for significant disruption)

Reputation damage:  very high - mass public outcry (4)

Included legal action: no (1)

Political support (opposition): yes, Labour supported the protest (1)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (HOOF) (1)

type of goals:  oppose privatisation/public policy 

scale of goals: large/substantial (government plans were already in place so it was a significant goal to reverse public policy) (3)  

type of target:  government (0)

immediate perceptible impact? - partial (0.5) - some residents and visitors would have been impacted, but also a more general concern for the forest 

outcome:  goals achieved (3)

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jan/27/england-forest-sell-off-activism

https://journals.openedition.org/rfcb/2646

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2011/feb/17/forest-sell-off-social-media

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/feb/16/forest-selloff-conservative-policy

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05734/SN05734.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jan/03/forest-of-dean-protesters-woodland

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-happened-during-the-hands-off-our-forest-campaign-in-the-uk.html

https://www.counterfire.org/news/10123-hundreds-gather-in-the-north-east-to-protest-cuts-to-englands-forestry-commission

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-12318218

http://saveourwoods.co.uk/articles/news/save-our-forests-protest-at-alice-holt-forest-in-surrey/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12428814

Fracking began in 2011, with the support of the Cameron coalition government on grounds that it represented a potential move to alternative fuel, at Preese Hall near Blackpool, Lancashire (although this was quickly abandoned due to tremors). This prompted the emergence of the Frack Off group (Muncie 2020: 465).  Scotland, NI and Wales all paused fracking in 2015, leaving only England as a site of fracking, especially Lancashire (Cuadrilla). In 2015, 2 applications for fracking in Lancashire were rejected, with one rejection overturned by the Government. Camps were set up (amongst other places) in Barton Moss, and protests staged at Balcombe (Sussex), Horse Hill and West Newton (Garland et al. 2022). Decisions by councils over approving fracking applications were often partisan, for instance 'North Yorkshire’s Conservative-led council followed the Conservative UK government’s policy on approving fracking, while Labour’s Lancashire and South Yorkshire councils rejected fracking proposals, decisions overturned by the national level' (Garland et al. 2022: 7). Anti-fracking protests peaked in 2016-17, in part due to the increased likelihood of being granted permission following the Onshore Licensing Round of 2015 (Garland et al. 2022: 9-10).

Garland et al. (2022) highlight 3 counties that had especially high levels of protest - Lancashire, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.  FoE estimate over 300 groups across the country by 2018 (Muncie 2020).  Sussex was the additional prominent site of protest. 

Lancashire saw tests from 2011 and then Preston New Road (PNR) site (the only live fracking site) from 2018, and nearly approved site at Roseacre Wood.  All of this meant that Lancashire saw lots of anti-fracking protests from 2011.  2017 saw a failed judicial review brought by local groups against Preston New Road. Protests conducted by Frack Free Lancashire, FoE, Grenpeace, Green Party, Reclaim the Power - focusing first on County Council and then on PNR/Cuadrilla. 2017 saw a week long blockade of PNR (and other parts of the country), and a month of action in July (Muncie 2020: 466).   Other blockades also occurred at other points in 2017, and had earlier in 2011. A brief camp was set up in 2014 and then a more longlasting one in 2017 (Garland et al. 2022: 10-12). Blockades continued in 2018, including the one that prompted the arrest of the Frack Three (Muncie 2020: 466).

North Yorkshire saw KM8 granted approval to start fracking in 2016, although start was delayed and they ended prior to the 2019 moratorium, in 2018. Similar protests - a camp (lasting 15 months) and several direct action protests, plus a large demonstration outside the council of around 2000 protesters (Garland et al. 2022: 12, 16; Muncie 2020: 466).

South Yorkshire saw INEOS apply for fracking permission in 2017-18 (Harthill and Woodsetts) but were rejected and never got off the ground; likewise most of the opposition took the form of meetings and so on, with little visible protest (Garland et al. 2022: 13).

Sussex - Balcombe saw Cuadrilla given permission to start tests in 2013, prompting protests by around 2000 people and '126 arrests were made over 62 days' (Muncie 2020: 465-6). By 2021 virtually no testing/drilling had occurred, in part due to repeated rejections by the county council.

Barton Moss Community Protection Camp, Greater Manchester set up 2013 in opposition to IGas exploratory drilling - camp lasted 5 months, with 231 arrests (Muncie 2020: 466). 

Overall the disruptive protests were largely successful - either in prompting local authorities to reject applications, or in the case of PNR making the implementation of fracking difficult (also due to ongoing tremors) despite the fact that the Government had overturned the local authorities rejection (Garland et al. 2022: 14; Muncie 2020: 466).

Fracking was eventually halted in 2019.

Number of protest events: at least 100, probably a lot more (101)

Time of campaign:  8 years  (2920 days)

Type of actions:  disruptive, camp, blockades, as well as demonstrations and meetings

Level of disruption caused by protest:  very high (5) - on several occassions the scale of the blockades was sufficient to prevent operations

Reputation damage: very high (4) - fracking was widely viewed as a problematic initiative  and is consistently opposed by the public

Included legal action: yes (unsuccessful) (2) - 2017 saw a failed judicial review against PNR

Political support (opposition):  yes - (1) - Green party supported/participated; Labour councils tended to back the protesters and oppose permission

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: mainly independent (Frack Off, Frack Free, Reclaim the Power), but also FoE/Greenpeace (0.75)

type of goals: prevent fracking

scale of goals: very large (opposing a national energy project, supported by government policy) (4)

type of target:  both corporations drilling and national govenrment - principally though in opposition to the corporations doing the drilling (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - yes (earthquakes and general perceived risks amongst public, especially residents) (1)

outcome:  goals achieved - fracking eventually halted in 2019, and throughout the time period it was rendered difficult to perform operation (3)

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/02/fracking-banned-in-uk-as-government-makes-major-u-turn

Joshua Garland, Clare Saunders, Cristiana Olcese & Delacey Tedesco (2022): Anti-fracking campaigns in the United Kingdom: the influence of local opportunity structures on protest, Social Movement Studies, DOI: 10.1080/14742837.2022.2031956 . Available: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14742837.2022.2031956 

Ella Muncie (2020) ‘Peaceful protesters’ and ‘dangerous criminals’: the framing and reframing of anti-fracking activists in the UK, Social Movement Studies, 19:4, 464-481 . Available: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14742837.2019.1708309 

https://drillordrop.com/2021/03/02/breaking-test-plan-for-balcombe-oil-well-refused-unanimously/

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/10/22/shale-gas-even-less-popular-uk-coal

In July 2012 Greenpeace activists shut down 74 Shell petrol stations in London and Edinburgh in opposition to  Shell's plan for Arctic drilling for oil, as part of Greenpeace's 'Save the Arctic' campaign. 

The following year, 6 Greenpeace activists climbed the Shard in London in July 2013. Greenpeace tweeted a photo here. The protest/climb/stunt was chosen to draw attention to Shell (which is partly based in the Shard) and in opposition to its drilling for oil in the Arctic. 

Shell continued with its plans, including investing billions into plans to start the drilling, and Greenpeace staged a month of such protests for every day of the month of August 2015 - including performing  a 'Requiem for Arctic Ice' outside Shell HQ in London, and singers including Charlotte Church towards the end of the month. See here. Video here: https://youtu.be/kbxXnMgH9mQ Shell seem unmoved by the action, with a spokesperson saying: "We believe we can play an important role in developing the Arctic’s energy resources. We choose to explore there because we have the expertise and experience to operate responsibly and be profitable at the same time".

The controversy mounted as the time when the drilling was due to start (autumn 2015) got closer. This included Shell being forced to leave  the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leader Group due to a fallout with other Group members due to the controversy of the drilling. 

In September 2015 Shell announced it would quite the drilling - at a cost of c. £4b - ostensibly due to a poor results of the initial drilling, but Greenpeace chalk this up as a win as the high impact on Shell's reputation contributed to the decision to quit the drilling. Indeed, Shell privately cited public opposition.  More details on the way that the Greenpeace campaign contributed to the decision here.

Number of protest events: at least 105

Time of campaign:  3 years (1095 days)

Type of actions:  disruptive (shut down petrol stations, climbing Shard)

Level of disruption caused by protest:  significant - widespread closing of petrol stations - although only short time period (3)

Reputation damage: high (reputation damage and controversy grew throughout the campaign and Shell themselves cited reputation as a factor) (3)

Included legal action: not reported (1)

Political support (opposition): not reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  NGO (Greenpeace) (0)

type of goals:  stop drilling 

scale of goals: large/substantial - seek to end significant project of Shell with an estimated cost of £4b (3)

type of target:  corporation (Shell) (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  goals achieved (3) Shell did eventually abandon the plans

sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/16/greenpeace-activists-shell-petrol

https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/7022/you-did-it-shell-abandons-arctic-drilling/

https://storage.googleapis.com/gpuk-archive/blog/climate/hell-yeah-im-scared-im-still-scaling-shard-save-arctic-20130711.html

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jul/11/greenpeace-activists-climb-london-shard

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/03/greenpeace-adds-a-new-string-to-its-bow-with-musical-protest-at-shell

https://youtu.be/kbxXnMgH9mQ

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/26/charlotte-church-sings-outside-shell-hq-london-protest-arctic-drilling

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/10/shell-leaves-climate-project-it-helped-found-amid-arctic-drilling-row

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/28/shell-ceases-alaska-arctic-drilling-exploratory-well-oil-gas-disappoints

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/5-ways-that-people-power-helped-defeat-shell/

13 Combe Haven anti-road campaign 2012-5

Sustained protest against the Bexhill-Hastings link road, government funding for which was announced in March 2012, and which would cross the Combe Haven Valley, a site of special scientific interest. This had been in the planning for several years, since 2007, always on grounds of economic regeneration and jobs. East Sussex County Council applied for the funding initially but were put on hold in 2010 due to funding,  and then again put on hold in 2011. Despite opposition, including from Friends of the Earth, the local council backed the plan, largely on grounds of economic rationale and good for jobs.  Opposition group, Hastings Alliance, seek judicial review as 'delaying tactic' in July 2012.  Combe Haven Defenders set up as a campaign group, and later a group called the Bexhill Link Road Resistance group. Protests include disruption of council meeting in October 2012, the launch of a camp and rally in Oct 2012, a 'zombie roads' demo, a stunt delivering the tree to the council, a series of public meetings , attempts to prevent tree felling over multiple days in December 2012,   .  As construction began in December 2012, around 30 protesters set up camps and one tunnelled under the site, also included occupations of trees, although these were evicted in Jan/Feb 2013 after the camps had been in place for around 2 months (and later cleared of trespass in court). Campaign moves in March 2013 to calls for hidden official documents to be released, including disruptive attempts to enter government (DfT) building., and which are eventually released. Protests continue, including planting acorns on the road site, displaying "No Link Road" at local festival,  a mock road built outside the Chancellor's residence, a Rally Against New Roads, and a "car wash".  By December 2014, the project was delayed and wouldn't meet its May 2015 target opening time; although many of the protests had ceased by this point. The delay was explained in terms of the protests,  weather and archaeological finds; plus the budget had increased by £2.6m due to the protests. The road eventually opened in December 2015, around 6 months late, with further protests at the opening. 

Number of protest events: at least 13 reported events

Time of campaign: 3 years (1095 days)

Type of actions: disruptive (blockades, occupation, stunts, disruption)

Level of disruption caused by protest:  high (4) - tunnels and occupations prevented the operation on multiple occassions

Reputation damage: between moderate and high (considerable local opposition) (2.5)

Included legal action:  yes (judicial review, unsuccessful) (2)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent (Combe Haven Defenders and Bexhill Link Road Resistance) (1)

type of goals: end road building 

scale of goals: large/substantial (3)

type of target: local authority (0) 

immediate perceptible impact? - partial, has direct impact on local residents, although most objections seem to be around more general environmental impact  (0.5)

outcome: limited achievements (road was built, but was delayed by several months as a direct result of protests) (1)

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-17459656

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-17880224

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18965877

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6905520.stm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-16185532

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-21056580

https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/story/2012-10-24/bexhill-link-road-new-protest/

https://theecologist.org/2013/feb/04/battle-combe-haven

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/mar/03/protesters-disclosure-advice-link-road

https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/10/502004.html

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11643328.controversial-bexhill-to-hastings-link-road-suffers-setback/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-35119205

https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2014/03/12/brighton-and-hove-road-protesters-cleared-by-court/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/657/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/week-1-summary-reports-and-pictures/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/tell-norman-to-speak-out-release-the-dfts-secret-docs/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/local-residents-plant-acorns-on-link-road-route/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/peter-jones-loses-it-norman-baker-video-18-hour-lockdown-at-the-dft-day-2-of-the-operation-disclosure-document-search/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/campaigners-win-release-of-secret-link-road-documents/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/campaigners-take-anti-link-road-message-to-east-hill-during-hastings-jack-in-the-green/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/campaigners-build-dual-carriageway-on-osbornes-doorstep/

https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/grannies-set-up-car-wash-in-combe-haven-floodwaters-to-highlight-roads-climate-link/

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/breaking-news-bexhill-to-hastings-link-road-judicial-review-bid-thrown-out-2370703 

In October 2013 campaign group - Stop Climate Chaos Scotland - organised a demonstration outside the Scottish Government, calling for a doubling of investment in cycling and walking paths.  Photos of the protest here. This was part of a longer-term campaign (2012-14) - which they called 'We Want to See Double'. And which was considered successful when in April 2014 when the "Scottish Government announced an additional £15m of funding for cycling and walking for the next year, almost doubling their previous commitment".    Alex Quayle, Senior Policy Officer of Sustrans Scotland (members of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland) welcomed the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2018-19 as it promised to double funding for cycling and walking.

Number of protest events: 1

Time of campaign:  2 years (730 days)

Type of actions: demonstration

Level of disruption caused by protest: none (1)

Reputation damage: none (1)

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): yes   (1) - strong support from a number of MSPs in opposition parties (and governing party)

Political support (government):  in part - Scottish Government already committed to cycling spending

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: policy 

scale of goals:  limited (to increase existing policy)  (1)

type of target:  government (0)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  goals achieved (3)

sources:

https://www.stopclimatechaos.scot/we-want-to-see-double-we-got-there/

https://www.stopclimatechaos.scot/campaign/we-want-to-see-double/

https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2013/10/stop-climate-chaos-demonstration-today-in-photos/

http://www.spokes.org.uk/2013/10/seeing-double/ 

Campaign group Stop HS2 stage a demonstration outside Parliament in April 2014. Many Conservative MPs against it despite it being a Government proposal.  In 2018 a blockade by 4 protesters sought to protect a nature reserve on the route. In 2019 Stop HS2 protested outside Conservative Party Conference. Construction nevertheless commenced in September 2020. In 2020 XR and StopHS2 did a week-long walk along the route in protest. Protest has also seen several protection camps positioned on the route, including one for over a year,  and Colne Valley for over 2 years (2017-20), to try and prevent it being built; direct action protest at Denham Ford; direct action to prevent felling of tree in 2020;  blockades of sites in 2020;  direct action protection of Jones’ Hill Ancient Woodland in the Chilterns in 2020; a "30 foot high ‘Beacon of Truth’ bamboo protest tower in the middle of the river Colne to prevent HS2 contractors from building a temporary bridge within Denham Country Park, Uxbridge, West London in 2020"; spray 'smash HS2' on Department of Transport and occupy trees in parliament square in 2020; 2 HS2 Rebellion protesters climb insurance company building in 2021;  tunnels under Euston Square; another tunnel in 2022 by HS2 Rebellion; a day of action in 2022. 

Number of protest events: at least 17 reported

Time of campaign:  9 years (3285 days)

Type of actions:  blockade/direct action/tunnels/camps

Level of disruption caused by protest: very high (5) - tunnels, camps and blockades have all seriously impeded construction

Reputation damage: very high (HS2 has become very controversial) (4)

Included legal action:  yes (unsuccessful) (2)

Political support (opposition): Green Party opposed to HS2 partial and backbench Conservative MPs against despite their own party being in government (see above) (1)

Political support (government) : none, as it is a government initiative

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: stop rail construction

scale of goals:  very large (seeks to prevent a major construction project) (4)

type of target: government (0)

immediately perceptible impact? - yes, impact on local residents on train line (1)

outcome:  substantial achievements (2) - Jones Hill Wood felling had to be halted awaiting an ecology report; in 2021 HS2 sought support from government with dealing with protesters, who it claimed had already cost them £75m; 2021 also saw the Government scale back the construction plan, which it claimed was partly due to efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the construction, and which Stop HS2 veteran campaigner Joe Rukin called a "vindication of everything we’ve been saying for a decade". Eventually it was announced in October 2023 the scheme beyond Birmingham would be scrapped. although the impact of the protests wasn't directly mentioned - although earlier the same year the costs arising from 'illegal protests' were detailed to parliament.

Sources:

https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/britain-transport-hs2-protest-apr-2014-7964743i

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/29/hs2-work-halted-by-overnight-protest-on-nature-reserve

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48991441

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-53119960

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/stop-hs2-protest-camp-swampy-wendover-b1936322.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLRTBkg3Sn4

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2022/01/24/hs2-is-costing-the-earth-nationwide-day-of-action-against-hs2/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2021/08/02/7-sisters-acquitted-seven-sisters-acquitted-after-all-charges-dismissed/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2021/05/26/anti-hs2-activists-face-trial-for-defence-of-jones-hill-ancient-woodland-and-surrounding-chilterns-aonb/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2020/12/07/activists-block-hs2-bridge-over-the-river-colne/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2020/10/13/hs2-to-suspend-all-felling-at-jones-hill-wood-until-full-ecology-surveys-are-completed/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2020/09/04/hs2-rebellion-disrupts-uks-department-for-transport-to-demand-urgent-action-on-the-climate-emergency-and-push-the-government-to-stop-ecocide-and-stop-hs2/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2020/05/04/press-release-4-may-2020/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2020/08/23/camp-roundups-17-23-august/

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2020/09/02/hs2-activists-take-to-the-trees/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/07/hs2-begins-evicting-activists-from-protest-site-after-two-years

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/24/hs2-asks-government-help-rising-number-protests

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54010727

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1062157/integrated-rail-plan-for-the-north-and-midlands-web-version.pdf

http://www.ealing-against-hs2.co.uk/legal-challenges-to-hs2/ 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/what-the-plan-to-launch-network-north-means-for-you

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/hs2-6-monthly-report-to-parliament-june-2023

https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2013/09/26/the-green-party-reiterates-its-opposition-to-the-hs2-rail-link-between-london-and-the-north-of-england/ 

Around 200 protesters on 15 August 2014 sought to oppose the eviction of Grow Heathrow - a squatted piece of land in Sipson (15 squatters), originally squatted in opposition to the Heathrow 3rd airport. It has since become a self-sufficient community.  Protest included tunnels and locking on. This protest eventually proved unnecessary as the bailiffs didn't turn up. As described here it seems the protest was sufficient to put off the bailiffs.

Despite the success of this 2014 anti-eviction protest, successive attempts were made to evict Grow Heathrow, which were eventually successful in 2021. See here for more details: https://en.squat.net/tag/grow-heathrow/

Number of protest events: 1

Time of campaign:  1 day

Type of actions: tunnels/locking on

Level of disruption caused by protest: high (4)

Reputation damage: limited (1.5)

Included legal action: not reported (1)

Political support (opposition):  yes,  local Labour MP John McDonnell supports the protest - as does Councillor Mo Khursheed, leader of the local Labour party (1)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent (1)

type of goals: oppose eviction of squat

scale of goals:  moderate - only one site, although landlord intent on eviction and important site for resistance to Heathrow (2)

type of target:  private landlord (1)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  goals achieved (3) - 2014 eviction was successfully resisted, and the complete eviction didn't get completed until 2021.

Sources:

https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2014/08/517668.html

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/15/heathrow-airport-protesters-greenham-common

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/15/heathrow-expansion-protesters-grow-heathrow-resist-eviction

https://en.squat.net/tag/grow-heathrow/

On 21 September 2014 the People's Climate Movement held a global series of demonstrations - termed the People's Climate March - with the main one held in NYC, and one in London.  Pictures here. One of the main organisers, Bill McKibben sets out the main aims of the March in an article here. Timed to take place 2 days before the UN Climate Summit, McKibben describes the goal of 'opening up space for change on the scale that physics requires. No more fine words, no more nifty websites. Hard deeds. Now' and 'to come together and show the world how big it’s [resistance to climate change has] gotten.'  And more generally to call for more action on climate change. Estimates put the number of attendees at around 40,000.

Number of protest events: 1 event in London; but over 2000 rallies took place in 162 countries worldwide.

Time of campaign:  1 day

Type of actions:  demonstration

Level of disruption caused by protest: none (1)

Reputation damage: none/moderate (1.5) high public impact, widely reported internationally, but no obvious outcry/scandal 

Included legal action: not reported (1)

Political support (opposition): not reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: in-between (0.5)

type of goals: influence policy

scale of goals:   limited (impact UN negotiations- major international body, but which was already leaning in that direction) (1) 

type of target: Governments meeting in UN (0)

immediate perceptible impact?  - no (0)

outcome:  difficult to evaluate as the UN Climate Summit had already been announced before the March occurred, and the aim of the Summit was already to tackle climate change - so the degree to which the March made a concrete difference is difficult to say. No direct response can also be found by the Government to the March, although David Cameron did give a speech at the Summit which was very positive about the need to address Climate Change. The Climate Summit itself agreed 52  'climate actions' which Chan et al. (2015) evaluated as having made good progress within just 12 months. Overall though it's difficult to see any concrete  impact of the March on the Summit.  Limited achievements  (1)

Source:

https://peoplesclimate.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuaJKqj6hVQ

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/a-call-to-arms-an-invitation-to-demand-action-on-climate-change-92885/

https://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIF3DLMIR

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2014/sep/21/peoples-climate-march-in-london-emma-thompson-vivienne-westwood-peter-gabriel

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-climate-summit-2014-david-camerons-remarks

As part of its opposition to drilling in the Arctic, Greenpeace launched a campaign against Shell's sponsorship of the Lego brand, which saw Shell-branded Lego pieces sold in Shell garages.  The deal had been valued at £68m and Lego initially refused to back down despite Greenpeace's campaigning.  The campaign was launched in July 2014. Protests included a video and Greenpeace activists targeting Legoland in Windsor by 'dressing as Lego figures'. By October 2014 Lego backed down and announced it would not renew its contract with Shell. Some coverage of the protest actions here - although many of these are not in the UK.  And a discussion here of what made the protest successful. The main UK-based protest was this 50 children-led protest outside Shell HQ.

Number of protest events: 2

Time of campaign: 3 months (90 days)

Type of actions: demonstration/stunt (50 child protest) and viral video

Level of disruption caused by protest:  none (1)

Reputation damage: moderate/high - very viral video (2.5) 

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0) 

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  NGO (Greenpeace) (0)

type of goals:  end sponsorship

scale of goals: moderate - end sponsorship (Lego initially began with firm commitment)  (2)

type of target: corporation (Lego) (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  goals achieved (3) - successfully forced Lego to end the contract with Shell

sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/01/greenpeace-lego-shell-partnership-toys-oil-arctic

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/09/lego-ends-shell-partnership-following-greenpeace-campaign

https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/6999/how-lego-got-awesome-to-savethearctic/

https://storage.googleapis.com/gpuk-archive/blog/climate/why-50-children-and-their-families-are-playing-outside-shells-hq-20140729.html

https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2014/oct/10/greenpeace-lego-shell-climate-change-arctic-oil

In the run up to the December 2015 Paris COP 21, a number of protests were held to campaign for better action by the delegates. The first event - demonstration -  was in March 2015.  This was in central London and organised by Campaign Against Climate Change - with numbers estimated at 20,000 

Another day of action takes place in November 2015, again part of an international day of protests, including one in Paris that was banned but people attended anyway. Organisers estimated the attendance to be 70,000. 

On 12 December 2015 another protest (demonstration) was staged - Red Lines protest - to add to the pressures, and coincide with a Paris-based protest.

The final agreement in Paris was widely heralded on grounds that it announced a commitment to restrict global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees - although the Campaign Against Climate Change was cautious in welcoming this, pointing out that the agreement was not legally binding nor was there sufficiently a sense of urgency. They also noted how the Conservative Government had not heeded the Campaign's demands and Amber Rudd (Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) had, prior to the meeting, focused more on affordable energy than on climate change.

The government did declare its support for an international agreement, although it's priority was 2 degrees.  There was also a lot of concern prior to the meeting as the Government seemed to be reversing on its commitment to renewable energy. 

Number of protest events: 3

Time of campaign:  9 months (270 days)

Type of actions: demonstration 

Level of disruption caused by protest: none (1)

Reputation damage: no obvious impact on government reputation (1)

Included legal action:  none reported  (1) 

Political support (opposition):  none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent (1)

type of goals: influence government policy

scale of goals: large/substantial - government was firm on its commitments, and a clear policy shift could be significant for climate change (3)

type of target:  government (0)

immedidate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: no obvious movement by the UK Government in terms of its negotiating position as a result of the protests taking place in the UK. If anything there seemed to be a decline in support for coordinated action on climate change in the lead up to the COP21. Goals unachieved (0).

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2015/nov/29/global-peoples-climate-change-march-2015-day-of-action-live

http://www.campaigncc.org/parisverdict

https://indyrikki.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/redlines-solidarity-protests-in-london/

https://www.campaigncc.org/climatemarchlondon

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/07/time-to-act-climate-change-protest-london

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/19/organisers-of-cancelled-paris-climate-march-urge-global-show-of-support

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/30/french-police-fire-tear-gas-to-disperse-climate-protest

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7393/CBP-7393.pdf

https://www.ft.com/content/a6cd532c-796a-11e5-933d-efcdc3c11c89#axzz3rH6S3VzR

Following 13 earlier similar events, starting in 2010, protest group, Liberate Tate, stage occupation of Tate in June 2015 in opposition to BP's sponsorship of the gallery, and to end the link to fossil fuels. The protest saw charcoaled words written over the floor of the building for 25 hours. This was the first protest event to seek to occupy the Tate overnight and therefore the most disruptive. 2 further protests took place in 2015, and in 2016 BP announced it would drop the sponsorship, which took place in 2017.

Number of protest events: 16 reported events at least

Time of campaign: 6 years  (2190 days)

Type of actions: disruptive/occupations 

Level of disruption caused by protest: significant (3)

Reputation damage: moderate - ongoing publicity targeting Tate got ongoing media attention (2)

Included legal action:  none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0) 

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1) 

type of goals: end sponsorship

scale of goals: moderate (end sponsorship)  (2)

type of target:  non-profit (Tate) (1)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: goals achieved (3)

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/13/climate-change-activists-occupy-tate-moderns-turbine-hall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberate_Tate

https://www.ft.com/content/fc89bc54-e78f-11e5-bc31-138df2ae9ee6

Art Not Oil coalition stage demo/sing-in inside the British Museum  in September 2015. This followed actions by "BP or Not BP", including a spoof film and stunt/demo "invading" and a month later a "flash horde", and in December the recreation of Deepwater Horizon, all in the British Museum in 2014. It also included another 6 similar stunts in 2015. Another 30 similar stunts/demos take place between 2015 and 2022 In 2019, Trustee Ahdaf Soueif resigns, in part over the issue. Nevertheless the sponsorship continues and is extended into 2023. Eventually in June 2023 British Museum ends sponsorship - or so it was thought, as in December 2023 a renewal of the BP sponsorship was announced, to much outrage. 

Number of protest events: at least 40 reported

Time of campaign: 9 years (3285 days)

Type of actions: stunts/demonstrations

Level of disruption caused by protest: significant (3) - repeated stunts/occupations etc. inside the building

Reputation damage: high (3) - forced resignations and high controversy

Included legal action:  none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: end sponsorship

scale of goals: moderate (end sponsorship)  (2)

type of target: non-profit (British Museum) (1)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: caused considerable controversy, including members of the board to resign, but despite what looked like a success in June 2023, by December 2023 the continuation of the sponsorship had been announced - limited achievements  (1)

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsSo2WekN2k

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/sep/03/art-not-oil-plan-protest-british-museum

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/13/activists-occupy-british-museum-over-bp-sponsorship

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/jul/16/trustee-resigns-from-british-museum-over-bp-sponsorship-and-artefacts-repatriation

https://www.artnotoil.org.uk/blog/mass-bp-action-british-museum-ends-creative-occupation-four-galleries

https://bp-or-not-bp.org/2014/04/27/horde-of-oily-vikings-invades-british-museum-in-protest-at-bp-sponsorship/

https://bp-or-not-bp.org/2014/06/15/unlawful-arrest-as-hundreds-of-protesters-invade-british-museum-with-viking-longship/

https://bp-or-not-bp.org/2014/09/21/protesters-bring-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-into-bp-sponsored-british-museum/

https://bp-or-not-bp.org/performances-and-films/

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/02/british-museum-ends-bp-sponsorship-deal-after-27-years

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/19/british-museum-bp-sponsorship-deal-astonishingly-out-of-touch 

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/12/19/british-museum-trustees-minutes-bp-sponsorship-deal 

In 2015 the Airports Commission recommended that the 3rd runway should be built, prompting a protest by Plane Stupid that saw 23 activists block the runway. In November 2015 Plane Stupid activists blocked the tunnel to the airport and in 2016 Reclaim the Power do a die-in in the airport.  This was followed in 2016 by the Government adopting support for the proposed 3rd runway,  reversing its earlier opposition to the plan, which had been under consideration for over 10 years.  This was met with further protest - blockade/lock-on outside parliament. Rising Up do a blockade of Heathrow tunnel in 2017. In June 2018 Vote No Heathrow target Labour Party, SNP and Government with disruptive/confrontational protests, including spray painting buildings, hunger strike, and laying down in parliament.  Approval granted in 2018 by Parliament but project later shelved due to Covid.  In the 2018 parliamentary vote SNP did eventually abstain on the vote; Labour split and Government supported, except for Johnson (Johnson position here). In 2019 Heathrow Pause did a drone attack, although had little impact on flights; and in December 2019 XR staged a blockade of the Heathrow tunnel. The opposition to the expansion was also backed by a wide range of groups and politicians (who formed a No Third Runway campaign group - see Griggs and Howarth (2019)), including London Mayor, Greenpeace, local residents groups, and so on). These brought a legal case against the expansion. In 2020 the court of appeal blocked the 3rd runway, but this was later in 2020 overturned by the Supreme Court.

Number of protest events: at least 10 reported events

Time of campaign: 9 years (3285 days)

Type of actions: disruptive/blockades

Level of disruption caused by protest:  high/very high, including preventing flights and persistent blockades/occupations (4.5)

Reputation damage: high - 3rd runway becomes a controversial issue (3)

Included legal action: yes, unsuccessful (2)

Political support (opposition): patchy (0.5) - most recent statement from Labour Party was hesitantly against the expansion

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent and NGOs (0.5)

type of goals: end construction 

scale of goals: substantial - very large (government policy and major spend) (3.5)

type of target: government (0)

immediate perceptible impact? - yes (local residents considerably impacted by new runway) (1)

outcome:  substantial achievements (2)- no change to government policy but legal rulings did delay and construction still hasn't started, with speculation that if Labour gets into power in 2024 this will block construction again

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-23/heathrow-puts-new-runway-back-on-agenda-as-travel-edges-back?sref=Q0v2xC09

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/top-uk-court-overturns-block-on-heathrows-third-runway

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8678282.stm

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/01/heathrow-third-runway-recommended-in-davies-report-on-airport-capacity

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/13/heathrow-disruption-climate-change-activists-claim-chained-runway

https://planestupid.com.archived.website/blogs/2016/10/25/press-release-protesters-blockade-mock-runway-outside-parliament-oppose-airport-exp.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/01/heathrow-expansion-reclaim-the-power-protesters-flashmob-climate-change

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/21/heathrow-protest-climate-activists-closes-m4-motorway

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/heathrow-expansion-vote-westminster-protest-activists-lobby-house-of-commons-a8416781.html

https://realmedia.press/heathrow-activists-spray-labour-hq/

https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/15/protesters-vow-carry-week-long-hunger-strike-heathrow-expansion-rejected-7634242/ 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44594549

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/13/heathrow-protests-two-held-near-airport-as-activists-threaten-drone-disruption

https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/2019/12/extinction-rebellion-protestors-say-mass-lie-in-at-heathrow-is-warning-shot-and-vow-to-get-arrested-at-future-protests-if-3rd-runway-goes-ahead/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51658693

Griggs and Howarth, 2019, 'The Airports Commission, Depoliticisation and the Third Runway at Heathrow Airport', in J. Buller, P. Donmez, A. Standring and M. Wood (eds.) Comparing strategies of (de)politicisation in Europe, (Palgrave).

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/statement-from-sadiq-khan-on-heathrow-decision#:~:text=Sadiq%20Khan%2C%20the%20Mayor%20of,net%2Dzero%20carbon%20by%202030.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/airport-expansion-heathrow-gets-green-light-for-third-runway-2rg5zlv7x#:~:text=Boris%20Johnson%20has%20refused%20to,the%20%C2%A314%20billion%20project.

https://labour.org.uk/press/plans-for-heathrow-expansion-have-not-met-our-tests-mcmahon/

https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/will-heathrow-ever-get-its-third-runway 

August 2015 sees a protest at the Edinburgh Arts Festival in opposition to BP's sponsorship of the event.  Protest was a demonstration and then a stunt in which about 20 of the protesters entered the building and sang songs about Deepwater Horizon. The following year in 2016 it was announced that BP would not sponsor the event - after 34 years of having done so - in what was seen as a victory for the group BP or Not BP, which had campaigned against the sponsorship and led the 2015 protest.

Number of protest events: 1

Time of campaign:  1 year (365 days)

Type of actions:  stunt/occupation

Level of disruption caused by protest: significant (occupation) (3)

Reputation damage: moderate (2)- BP sponsorship in general is controversial

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0) 

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: end sponsorship

scale of goals: moderate (end sponsorship) (2)

type of target: non-profit (Edinburgh Arts Festival) (1)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: goals achieved (3)

Sources:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/festival-star-supports-protesters-in-demand-to-end-bp-sponsorship-deal-38977g6h9k2

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/apr/06/bp-ends-34-year-edinburgh-international-festival-sponsorship

October 2015 a protest organised by Divest London - blockade of Oil and Money conference and targeting Rex Tillerson (head of Exxon) reflecting the fact that Exxon had recently been found to be funding climate change denial groups.  By this point Exxon had already denounced climate change denial, so it's not clear what the overall demands were - seemingly only to draw attention to the issue.  There was then a very similar protest at the same conference the following year, suggesting little had changed. Still in 2023 Exxon were denying that they had misled but the issue remained on the public agenda. 

Number of protest events: 2

Time of campaign:  1 year (365 days)

Type of actions:  blockade (blocked entrance to event)

Level of disruption caused by protest: significant (3)

Reputation damage: moderate (2) - there was considerable international controversy over Exxon's apparent climate change denialism, although not directly linked to this protest

Included legal action: not reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: highlight Exxon/Tillerson track record

scale of goals: limited - apparently just to highlight actions of Exxon/Tillerson (1)

type of target:  corporation (Exxon) (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  between limited and substantial achievements (1.5) - media attention was achieved, although only limited media reporting and no obvious impact on Exxon arising from protest

sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/06/protesters-block-award-ceremony-over-exxons-climate-change-denial-funding

https://www.desmog.com/2016/10/18/locals-call-out-exxon-sponsored-london-oil-money-conference-divorced-reality/

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/12/exxon-climate-change-global-warming-research

April 2016: Two Greenpeace activists climbed Nelson’s column, central London, in protest against air pollution. Also 17 other statues on the same day. Another stunt in Jan 2017. Want better action to tackle air pollution, including improvements to Ulez, which was at the time planned for 2020 but was later brought forward to 2019 and expanded; and Greenpeace later call ULEZ a 'step in the right direction' and also heralded it as a win for Greenpeace in 2021.

Number of protest events: 19 reported

Time of campaign:  3 years (1095 days)

Type of actions: stunt/occupation

Level of disruption caused by protest: minimal/significant (2.5) - disruptive strategy but with limited impact on day-to-day lives

Reputation damage: moderate - surveys show that public are significantly concerned about air quality, blame car use, and hold the mayor responsible; although it's not clear whether that directly translates into a demand for ULEZ (2)

Included legal action:  none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: NGO (Greenpeace) (0)

type of goals: public policy 

scale of goals: limited (pushing in the same direction as government) (1)

type of target: London Mayor (public authority) (0)

immediate perceptible impact - yes, car pollution noted widely in surveys (1)

outcome:  substantial achievements - ULEZ was brought forward (2)

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/18/greenpeace-activists-climb-nelsons-column-in-air-pollution-protest

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/london_assembly_ulez_3b_response_final.pdf

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/ultra-low-emission-zone-to-expand

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/air-pollution-shows-the-climate-emergency-is-also-a-health-emergency/

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/greenpeace-environment-victories-2021/

https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Mary-Poppins-in-Air-Pollution-Protest-in-London-27MZIFJJR5MZD.html

On 3 May 2016  several hundred Reclaim the Power activists invaded the UK's largest opencast coal mine in Ffos-y-fran, including blockades and locking-on. As a result operations were shut down for the day.  All protesters dressed in red boiler suits. Protest was run from a nearby camp. See here also for an interview at the camp. Later in 2016 the campaign shifted its focus to the main consumer of the coal mined at Ffos-y-fran - Aberthaw power station. This saw protest events in 2017 that included blockades, another occupation of Ffos-y-Fran, and legal action. Protests continued in 2018 with a blockade and locking-on. Nevertheless, the opencast mine continued operating up until 2022, which was the time limit it had initially been granted; upon seeking an extension of that time. The extension was heavily opposed, including through a banner drop , a stunt outside the council,  and over 1400 letters opposing the extension. The extension was eventually refused by the Merthyr Tydfil council - which was a victory for the campaign (although note that as of summer 2023 the mining continued despite the lack of authority to do so).

Number of protest events: 8 reported

Time of campaign: 7 years  (2555 days)

Type of actions: occupation/stunt/camp/letter writing/blockade/lock-on

Level of disruption caused by protest: significant/high - a series of disruptive actions, including mine closed down (albeit only for one day) (3.5)

Reputation damage: moderate/high - considerable media attention and public support via letters (2.5)

Included legal action: yes (successful) (3)

Political support (opposition): yes, Green Party Wales leader attended in support (1)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: end open mining

scale of goals: large/substantial (3) - aim to close mine

type of target:  private mine (2)

immediate perceptible impact: yes - residents voiced concerns directly during the planning application (1)

outcome:  substantial achievements (2) - the extension of the mine was refused in 2023, but it had by that time been running for around 20 years, including for 7 years following the initial 2016 protest, and note that the mining continues (as of summer 2023) despite the lack of planning permission.

sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/climate-protesters-invade-uks-largest-opencast-coal-mine

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-05-03/hundreds-gather-to-halt-operations-at-ffos-y-fran-opencast-mine

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hundreds-people-occupy-uks-largest-11273121

https://www.huckmag.com/article/hundreds-activists-shut-uks-largest-opencast-coal-mine

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-36187019

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2016/may/03/climate-protesters-occupy-uks-largest-opencast-coal-mine-in-pictures

https://reclaimthepower.org.uk/news/year-of-resistance-against-coal/

https://theecologist.org/2023/may/05/mine-victory-welsh-community

https://www.coalaction.org.uk/2023/04/25/stop-coals-climate-toll/

https://www.coalaction.org.uk/2023/06/22/ffos-y-fran-unilaterally-and-unlawfully/ 

https://www.clientearth.org/latest/latest-updates/news/european-environmental-law-observatory-news-september-2016/

Stop Killing Londoners stage a series of road blockades in London, by about 20 protesters,  in demand of better policies and a meeting with Mayor Sadiq Kahn. Roger Hallam is one of the leaders.  Several blockades in late 2017, including Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge,  west London, Gunnersbury, Chiswick roundabout,    The key demands are:

• bringing forward the introduction of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London

• a comprehensive diesel and petrol scrappage scheme

• an “expanded integrated 100% renewable, ultra low pollution public transport system for London”

• a pay-per-mile pollution charge for fossil fuel vehicles 

• a “producer tax” for car companies that still produce fossil fuel vehicles, with any money raised to be spent within the NHS treating the victims of air pollution. 

Demonstrations continue in 2018, including Oxford Street (January 2018), another blockade of London Bridge, 15 protesters spray painting London City Hall as part of demand for Mayor Kahn to take more action. 

Number of protest events: at least 8 reported events

Time of campaign: Dec 2017 - March 2018 (4 months) (120 days)

Type of actions: disruptive

Level of disruption caused by protest: high - several blockades (4)

Reputation damage: none/moderate - raised issue on agenda but no mass outcry (1.5)

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent (1)

type of goals: public policy

scale of goals: moderate (ULEZ already on political agenda, but the aim was to expand it further)  (2)

type of target: government (London Mayor) (0)

immediate perceptible impact? -  yes car pollution registers as residents' concern (1)

outcome:  limited achievements (1) - the ULEZ was brought forward already in 2016 (but no further earlier introduction reported as a result of these protests), a daily charge was rejected , no sign of Kahn agreeing to meet SKL by March 2018 or afterwards. Although there has since been an expansion of the Ulez, and consultation on further expansion.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/27/we-dont-have-time-to-wait-and-see-air-pollution-protesters-resort-to-direct-action

https://www.goodtroublemag.com/home/stop-killing-londoners-cut-air-pollution

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/air-pollution-stop-killing-londoners-protestors-lo/

https://guerrillafoundation.org/stop-killing-londoners/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/13/sadiq-khan-to-double-size-londons-clean-air-zone-pollution

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/04/ulez-to-cover-all-of-greater-london-by-end-of-next-year-sadiq-khan

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstopkillingldn%2Fposts%2F2024170801171056

https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/29/air-pollution-protesters-bring-traffic-standstill-demanding-clean-air-7269765/?fbclid=IwAR33Rmxi4InEzcwNkAf0UVHLOSzS1jlP3DtE4oNPpk4a8wIo8mFpGBRSft4

https://www.facebook.com/stopkillingldn/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/04/ulez-to-cover-all-of-greater-london-by-end-of-next-year-sadiq-khan

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/25/londons-ulez-expansion-the-thin-end-of-the-wedge-for-uk-road-pricing 

In March 2018 Greenpeace launched its campaign against krill fishing in the Antarctic. Greenpeace initially contacted Holland and Barrett and asked them to stop selling krill-based products, which H&B refused. This prompted a campaign in which Greenpeace activists entered the shops and put stickers on krill products protesting the use of krill and Greenpeace also set up an auto-email send via its website which around 45,000 people used to contact H&B. In response, Holland and Barrett backed down and agreed to remove krill-based products from its shops.  The campaign then turned to Boots, including a protest in Glasgow outside the shop and an online flooding of their website with complaints.  Later the same year - July 2018 - most krill fishing companies agreed to voluntarily stop the fishing (during the penguin breeding season). Although reports in 2021 suggest that krill fishing continues to increase in intensity, causing concerns.

Number of protest events: 4 reported

Time of campaign: 4 months (120 days)

Type of actions: stunt/online/demonstration -  stunt in shop, online attacks (twice), protest outside shop (4 different protest events)

Level of disruption caused by protest: minimal/significant (2.5) - sticker switching did have a disruptive effect, but wasn't hugely disruptive

Reputation damage: moderate/high (2.5) - large numbers of online participation

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0) 

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: NGO (0)

type of goals: end fishing

scale of goals:  between moderate and large/substantial (2.5) - sought change in company policy (large/substantial) although related to only one aspect of that business (moderate)

type of target: corporations (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  substantial achievements (2) (Holland and Barrett immediately backed down; other companies indicated they would cease during penguin breeding period; but no sign that Boots responded to the campaign)

Sources: 

https://www.greenpeace.org/international/publication/15255/licence-to-krill-antarctic-krill-report/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/holland-barrett-halts-sales-of-krill-over-threat-to-whales-and-seals-mfp67dg2t

https://storage.googleapis.com/gpuk-old-wp-site/press-releases/greenpeace-welcomes-holland-barrett-ditching-krill-pills-protect-antarctic/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/27/campaigners-call-on-uk-retailers-to-stop-stocking-antarctic-krill-products

https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/17679/krill-fishing-protect-antarctic-ocean/

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/fishing-area-in-the-antarctic-becomes-ocean-sanctuary/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/07/license-to-krill-the-destructive-demand-for-a-better-fish-oil

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/greenpeace-campaigners-rally-against-retailers-14505954

https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2018/04/06/boots-facebook-page-swamped-by-customers-protesting-stocking-of-krill-oil/

On 20 August 2018 a group of medics and Greenpeace activists blocked the entrance to VW in opposition to its use of diesel and contribution to emissions, opposing its emissions test cheating, and calling for 100% electrification of cars.  The meeting was partly successful in that VW agreed to meet with the protesters in exchange for them calling off the protest in the afternoon (having earlier refused to meet). Not directly in response, but over the following years VW did make moves towards electrification - although not 100% electric. In 2019 it announced an increase in the number of EVs to be scheduled for production (driven by new VW boss, Diess). Nevertheless, Greenpeace continued to criticise VW for its reluctance - and by 2021 there remained a reluctance to opt for 100% electric. Finally in 2022 it was announced that there would be 100% electric by 2033.

Number of protest events:  1 reported

Time of campaign: 1 day

Type of actions:  blockade/disruptive

Level of disruption caused by protest:  significant (3) - staff weren't able to access building

Reputation damage:  moderate - not obviously as a result of the campaign - but the general issue of car pollution is obviously high profile, especially for VW after its emissions scandal (2)

Included legal action:  none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  NGO (0)

type of goals:  end petrol use in cars

scale of goals:  large/substantial  (3)- would represent a significant change to company policy 

type of target:  corporation (VW) (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - yes car pollution is a concern to public (1)

outcome:  limited achievements (1) -  a meeting was arranged for that day; some signs of gradual movement towards EV over several following years but no sign this was prompted by Greenpeace campaign and also the movement was slower than other car producers.

Sources: 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/20/anti-pollution-activists-stage-protest-at-volkswagens-uk-headquarters

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/anti-diesel-campaigners-medics-block-hundreds-volkswagen-staff-head-office/

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/vw-accelerates-electric-push-green-ngos-call-plan-game-changer-industry

https://www.economist.com/business/2019/03/14/vws-newish-boss-is-going-full-steam-ahead-with-electric-cars

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/dieselgate-forces-vw-embrace-green-mobility

https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/vw-brand-will-be-electric-only-europe-2033

https://insideevs.com/features/461181/greenpeace-says-vw-doesnt-want-sell-evs/#:~:text=In%20a%20study%20called%20%E2%80%9CWith,car%20instead%20of%20an%20ID.

September 2018: People's Walk for Wildlife sees between 5000 and 10000 march in central London calling for government to adopt wildlife-friendly policies.   This review of the 2019 party manifestos suggests that all parties have taken on wildlife issues to some extent. Also the reviews (one year on) here are useful.

Number of protest events: 1

Time of campaign: 1 day

Type of actions:  demonstration

Level of disruption caused by protest: none (1)

Reputation damage:  none obvious (1)

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: public policy 

scale of goals: moderate - seek public policy action on a popular issue (2)

type of target: government (0)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: none/limited (0.5) - some signs of wildlife featuring on political agenda; but no direct connection to protest

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/22/hundreds-march-on-whitehall-to-call-for-end-to-war-on-wildlife

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/56068

https://waronwildlife.co.uk/peoples-manifesto-for-wildlife-revisited/

In October 2018 Extinction Rebellion (XR) launched its first major wave of protests - with 1000 atttendees and 15 people sitting and blocking traffic in Parliament Square arrested. This launched the 'declaration of rebellion' calling for the need to act 'swiftly and robustly'. November 2018 saw another round of disruptive protests reported, including a series of small scale actions in early November, series of  road blockades in 5 bridges in London (with around 6000 participants), a series (at least 5) road blockades in London a week later, and then another blockade (“Rebellion Day 2”) outside Parliament a week after that, at the same time as demonstrations in Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Manchester.  At this point XR began calling for zero emissions by 2025 and a citizens assembly.  

In January 2019 around 40 XR activists occupied the Scottish parliament, calling for tougher climate targets and calling for a citizens' assembly.  In February, 9 XR activists glued themselves to the door of an oil and gas industry conference.  In March, about 400 demonstrators spilled red paint - 'blood' - outside Downing Street, as a stunt aimed at calling for greater action on climate change. This came shortly after an occupation of an oil industry dinner by about 300 activists at the National Museum of Scotland, which included a lock-on.

At the beginning of April 2019, 12 XR activists stripped in parliament to protest the ongoing Brexit debate and lack of focus on climate, and were subsequently arrested.

Between 15 and 25 April 2019 at least 13 protest events were reported, almost all of which were disruptive, including an ongoing occupation/blockade in various parts of London, including targeting Glasgow and Edinburgh. Perhaps the most iconic of the protests was the boat outside Oxford Circus.  This included blockades of Waterloo Bridge, Marble Arch, Parliament Square, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus (with numbers estimated into the thousands, and many blockades lasting several days), banner hung from a crane in Glasgow, a sit-in on North Bridge in Edinburgh,  disruption of Docklands Light Railway, gluing to Corbyn's house,  an attempted (but police prevented) blockade of the roundabout of Heathrow , climbing on top of a DLR train (which was actually done by a Christian Climate Action group in collaboration with XR), and a 'lie-in' at Kelvingrove art gallery and museum in Glasgow by around 300 activists (including those from Wee Rebellion). 

In July 2019, XR began its 'summer uprising' - 5 days of non-violent disruptive protest in 5 cities around the UK (London, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow). This saw several disruptive protests (at least 5 reported), including a camp in London. July also saw Dr Cliff Kendall, of (then) Doctors (now Health) for XR, stage a 15-day hunger strike to raise awareness.

Protests resumed in October 2019,  using the title 'International Rebellion'.  Ahead of the 2-week international rebellion (7-21 October), 8 activists sprayed red paint at the Treasury.  The first day saw blockades of several roads in London.  Other actions during the 2-week period include protest camps around Whitehall,  a mass "nurse-in", gluing to government buildings, disruption to London City Airport, blocking traffic around the Bank of England,  climbing onto the Department of Transport building, disrupting London Underground and DLR, scaling Big Ben,  blockading Oxford Circus, and a "red handed march" through London.

In November 2019 XR activists targeted political parties by using hunger strikes, and in December an XR activists glued himself to a Lib Dem bus.

The same types of protests continued on a regular basis (albeit prevented for periods due to the lockdown), into 2023 - although in 2023 XR announced it would do less disruptive protest. 

Number of protest events: at least 55 reported in 2018-9 - 1 day protest (Oct 2018); 15 protests (at least) in Nov 2018; Jan-March 2019 (4 protests reported); April 2019 (14 reported events, at least); July 2019 (at least 5);  Oct 2019 International Rebellion (at least 16 reported events)

Time of campaign: 2 years (730 days)

Type of actions: disruptive

Level of disruption caused by protest: very high (5)

Reputation damage: moderate - public attention strongly focused on climate change and public policy, although actions were also controversial (2)

Included legal action: none reported (0)

Political support (opposition): yes - Green MEP Molly Scott Cato supported first protest, as did Caroline Lucas MP; Jenny Jones (Green party peer) supported the November actions; Clive Lewis and Dianne Abbot both attacked moves to outlaw XR protests in Oct 2019. (1)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1) - XR (and Christian Climate Action, Wee Rebellion, Doctors for XR, for some of the events)

type of goals: public policy

scale of goals: large/substantial  (3)- significant shift in public policy

type of target: government (0)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: substantial achievements (2) - authorities, including the national parliament, have declared climate emergency; although action is considered insufficient ('next to nothing') a major aim was to get the commitment to declare the emergency, which was done, including also by 2023 by a large number of local councils ; no move to net zero by 2025; some consideration of citizens' assemblies

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/31/15-environmental-protesters-arrested-at-civil-disobedience-campaign-in-london

https://extinctionrebellion.uk/declaration/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/17/thousands-gather-to-block-london-bridges-in-climate-rebellion

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/21/swarming-sit-down-protests-aim-to-disrupt-london-traffic

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/24/environmental-protesters-block-access-to-parliament-square-extinction-rebellion

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/meet-dr-demo-the-activist-behind-the-road-block-radicals-nzd6dsp5k

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/25/extinction-rebellion-activists-occupy-scottish-parliament

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/25/extinction-rebellion-activists-occupy-scottish-parliament

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/27/extinction-rebellion-activists-arrested-outside-london-oil-conference

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/09/extinction-rebellion-activists-arrested-over-scottish-oil-protest

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/04/decency-is-todays-definition-a-bit-pants

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/15/thousands-expected-in-london-for-extinction-rebellion-protest

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2019/04/15/climate-protestors-hang-banners-at-finnieston-crane-and-city-chambers-in-glasgow/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/17/extinction-rebellion-halt-london-docklands-trains-carriage

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/19/extinction-rebellion-stages-youth-protest-at-heathrow-airport

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/climate-activist-phil-kingston-83-held-for-train-stunt-2r3dvbbm7

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/27/extinction-rebellion-activists-stage-die-in-protests-across-globe

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/16/extinction-rebellion-activists-target-east-london-concrete-plant

https://healthforxr.com/

https://realmedia.press/dr-cliff-kendall-hunger-strike-for-climate-action/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/extinction-rebellion-doctor-on-hunger-strike-calls-for-carbon-crackdown-6wgvvgjfs

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/07/extinction-rebellion-protesters-block-road-outside-downing-street

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/03/extinction-rebellion-protesters-spray-fake-blood-treasury-london

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/08/police-attempt-to-clear-extinction-rebellion-protest-camps-in-london

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/stanley-johnson-extinction-rebellion-protest-crusties

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/extinction-rebellion-protesters-arrested-at-london-city-airport

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/14/police-ban-extinction-rebellion-protests-from-whole-of-london

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/15/extinction-rebellion-protest-ban-chilling-assault-on-civil-rights

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/17/extinction-rebellion-activists-london-underground

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/18/extinction-rebellion-block-oxford-circus-london-pyramid

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/18/extinction-rebellion-block-oxford-circus-london-pyramid

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/18/extinction-rebellion-hunger-strikers-target-uk-political-parties

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/04/extinction-rebellion-protester-glues-himself-lib-dem-battlebus

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/01/extinction-rebellion-announces-move-away-from-disruptive-tactics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Extinction_Rebellion_actions

https://extinctionrebellion.uk/2021/04/28/we-will-not-be-bystanders-two-years-on-from-parliaments-declaration-of-climate-emergency-hundreds-to-take-individual-disruptive-action-around-the-uk/

https://climateemergencydeclaration.org/climate-emergency-declarations-cover-15-million-citizens/ 

Over several years, beginning in 2016, residents of Cromarty led a campaign - Cromarty Rising - against a plan to do ship-to-ship transfers at Cromarty Firth Port, which threatened the dolphins that reside there. The first recorded protest is in 2016 on Nairn beach, in which 500 protesters attended.  Another protest in Jan 2017 outside the Scottish Parliament. The group then set up an online petition  which got 100,000 signatures. 

Number of protest events: 3

Time of campaign:  2 years (730 days)

Type of actions: demonstration and petition

Level of disruption caused by protest: none (1)

Reputation damage: moderate - some subtantial public attention and a large petition, but no major outcry (2)

Included legal action:  none reported (1)

Political support (opposition):  yes, local MSP Kate Forbes backs the campaign, as did local MP Drew Hendry (1)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent (1)

type of goals:  end shipping  

scale of goals:  moderate (2) - seek change to company policy (although the operation hadn't yet started)

type of target: port  (2)

immediate perceptible impact?  - no, focus is on impact on dolphins (0)

outcome:  goals achieved (3) -  port announced in December 2018 it would cease the application

Sources:

https://www.cromartyrising.com/2016/12/11/nairn-protest-photos/

https://www.cromartyrising.com/2017/01/15/scottish-parliament-protest-photos/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/villagers-win-battle-over-firth-tankers-nh7j66wzr

In December 2018 XR held a series of protests outside BBC buildings calling for better coverage of Climate Change issues. Demands included declaring a climate emergency and making the environment its 'top editorial issue'.  Protests took place outside BBC offices in London, Bristol, Glasgow, Cambridge, Birmingham, Truro, Sheffield, and Bangor. The protests were described as 'peaceful but noisy'. This seemed to have some effect in that, by July 2019, there had been a documentary produced by BBC specifically on XR, and a meeting arranged with XR to discuss the BBC's reporting of climate change issues. But by October 2019 XR were still making broadly the same demand of BBC, suggesting no significant progress.

Number of protest events: 8 demonstrations (7 in 2018, 1 in 2019)

Time of campaign: 1 year (365 days)

Type of actions:  demonstration (non-disruptive)

Level of disruption caused by protest:  none (1)

Reputation damage: moderate (2) - attracted considerable media attention and BBC is sensitive to question of impartiality/independence

Included legal action: none (1)

Political support (opposition): none  (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: media policy change

scale of goals: moderate (2) - significant demand to change BBC policy, but only moderate demand in that BBC is anyway committeed to impartial/independent journalism

type of target: public media (1)

immediate perceptible impact? - partial, public would be affected by biased reporting, although not directly in an environmental sense (0.5)

outcome: between limited and substantial achievements (1.5) - BBC showed some signs of acknowledging the demand and even made a documentary directly covering XR demands (substantial) and recognising importance of climate change, but no direct concessions to the demands made by XR and XR took the view that not enough had changed for the BBC-focused protests to end (see for instance a similar protest in 2021)

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/dec/21/bbc-london-headquarters-put-on-lockdown-over-protest-by-climate-change-campaigners-extinction-rebellion

https://extinctionrebellion.uk/2019/07/17/tomorrow-extinction-rebellion-to-meet-bbc-management-friday-requiem-for-a-dead-planet-protest-to-call-on-uk-newspapers-to-tell-the-truth/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/11/extinction-rebellion-protests-weekend-march-london-vauxhall-bbc

https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/extinction-rebellion-cambridge-protest-at-the-bbc-over-clima-9211946/

In May 2019 25 Greenpeace  activists staged a blockade of BP headquarters in London - calling for an end to new oil and gas exploration and a switch to renewables. The blockade was done using heavy containers with a plan to stay for at least a week (although media reports suggested they were being removed by police on day one, which was confirmed here reporting it ended on the same day).  This was followed the next month by an occupation by 2 Greenpeace activists of a BP oil rig - Paul B Loyd Jr - in the North Sea that was about to start drilling. After nearly 7 days of occupation - with activists swapping with each other - of the oil rig BP got an injunction and 2 activists occupying the rig were arrested.  In sum 14 were arrested. Greenpeace responded by sending its ship, Arctic Sunrise, to intervene in the protest and try to block the progress of the rig. 

The owners of the rig (Transocean) then sought to attack Greenpeace. In December 2019 it was awarded a permanent injunction which prevented Greenpeace from protesting any of Transocean's activities. Further, it sought to sue Greenpeace and in July 2020 Greenpeace were fined £80,000; itself shortly after failing to successfully challenge in law the drilling permit BP had been awarded (although Greenpeace responded by promising to have a second attempt at a legal challenge - which was also lost in 2021).

In August 2020 BP announced a big plan to cut  oil and gas production by 40% by 2030. This was broadly welcomed by Greenpeace, and increase investment in renewable infrastructure, albeit with some reservations. Although in 2023 this ambition was reduced to a 20-30% cut in production

Number of protest events: 3

Time of campaign: 13 days of disruptive protest

Type of actions: occupation/blockade

Level of disruption caused by protest: high (4)

Reputation damage: limited (1.5)

Included legal action: yes (unsuccessful) (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): no - government welcomed legal ruling against Greenpeace in 2021

independent group or NGO:  NGO (0)

type of goals: end drilling 

scale of goals: large/substantial  (3)- end gas exploration and switch to renewables, which would have been a significant change in company operations

type of target: corporation (BP) (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: Limited achievements (1). No obvious moves by BP to cease drilling in direct response to the protests of 2019, although Greenpeace claimed a success as it prevented drilling for 12 days; although nearly a year later Greenpeace claimed BP were carrying on with 'business as usual'. Then in August 2020 (mid-lockdown) sizeable targets to reduce oil/gas production were announced, although (2023) post-lockdown these ambitions were scaled back.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/20/bp-headquarters-in-london-blockaded-by-greenpeace

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/09/greenpeace-activists-board-bp-oil-rig-as-it-is-towed-out-to-sea

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/14/greenpeace-steps-up-bp-oil-rig-drilling-protest

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/14/greenpeace-steps-up-bp-oil-rig-drilling-protest

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/20/greenpeace-north-sea-oil-protest-ends-with-climate-injunctions-for-bp

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bp-greenpeace-police-idUSKCN1SQ1NT

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48344851

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/bp-oil-court-trial-climate-change/

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/greenpeace-gets-80000-fine-for-attempting-to-block-bps-climate-wrecking-plans/

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/the-court-case-that-could-spoil-bps-north-sea-oil-drilling-plans/

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/bp-to-cut-oil-and-gas-production-by-40-by-2030/

https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/story/bp-oil-update-2020/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-58828308

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64544110

In July 2019 a road blockade by Reclaim the Power took place against Drax plans for a new gas fired power station. In addition, a similar protest was staged to block access to the site (Keadby). Photos from the direct action protests here.  Another protest in October 2019 and another demo outside Drax in August 2020; and Axe Drax stopped a train in 2021. The plan was subsequently dropped in 2021 (at a cost of £13m) in the face of opposition, including an unsuccessful legal challenge - and presented by the firm as a move towards decarbonisation. (More here on dropping the project)

Number of protest events: 5 events reported

Time of campaign:  2 years  (730 days)

Type of actions: blockade 

Level of disruption caused by protest: high, including stopping a train (4)

Reputation damage: moderate/high - considerable media attention, legal challenge, and controversy (2.5) 

Included legal action: yes (unsuccessful) (2)

Political support (opposition): none reported - and Labour Party even accused of supporting Drax (0) 

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: end fossil fuel production 

scale of goals: large/substantial (3) - significant end to business of Drax

type of target: corporation (2)

immediate perceptible impact?  - no (0)

outcome:  goals achieved (3) - The plan was subsequently dropped in 2021 (at a cost of £13m) in the face of opposition, including an unsuccessful legal challenge - and presented by the firm as a move towards decarbonisation.

Source:

https://reclaimthepower.org.uk/news/bye-bye-drax-a-win-for-the-movement/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-49987249

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/25/drax-scraps-plan-yorkshire-gas-plant-climate-protests

https://www.alamy.com/london-uk-30th-july-2019-reclaim-the-power-protesters-block-the-streets-while-holding-a-banner-during-a-demonstration-about-fossil-fuels-and-gas-power-stationsthe-protestors-glued-themselves-to-what-they-thought-was-the-head-office-of-drax-power-however-drax-had-long-since-moved-out-they-succeeded-in-closing-various-streets-and-attracting-police-presence-though-credit-sopa-images-limitedalamy-live-news-image261785633.html

https://www.energylivenews.com/2019/07/30/climate-protesters-target-sse-and-drax-gas-plant-sites/

https://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/2020/end-the-train-of-destruction/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c411ygg2xvzo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56200100

https://www.desmog.com/2023/01/26/labour-accepted-12000-from-major-polluter-drax/

August 2019 saw a 4-day occupation/blockade of Manchester Deansgate as XR activists called for the regional/local authorities to do more against the climate emergency, including more on preventing cars travel into the city and not expanding the airport. The occupation lasted the full 4 days. Protests staged during the occupation included a series of 'die-ins' and gluing to banks.

Number of protest events:  3

Time of campaign: 4 days

Type of actions:  occupation (4 days) and at least 2 other protest events during the occupation

Level of disruption caused by protest: significant (3) - the road was closed (although the authorities permitted and policed the action)

Reputation damage: none/moderate (1.5) - the media attention did get the issue onto the political agenda but there was no major public outcry

Included legal action: none reported (1)

Political support (opposition): none mentioned (0) - local Labour Party was neutral 

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO: independent (1)

type of goals: public policy

scale of goals: large/substantial  (3)- call for more substantial public policy 

type of target: public authorities (0)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome: goals unachieved (0) - no obvious sign of change 

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/30/extinction-rebellion-protesters-block-deansgate-central-manchester

https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2019/august/conclusion-of-extinction-rebellion-protests-in-manchester-city-centre/

https://xrmcr.org/2019/08/27/northern-rebellion-press-release.html

https://secretmanchester.com/extinction-rebellion/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/02/manchester-extinction-rebellion-activists-glue-banks-barclays-hsbc

In September 2019, the London Fashion Week was the target of protests by XR, who glued themselves to the entrance, as part of the start of 5 days of action to protest the fashion industry and its pollution. The overall aim was to ‘tell the truth about its contribution to the climate and ecological crisis’. Well attended protests, sometimes disruptive, went on throughout the week - see here for some pictures - including a funeral march on the last day, a die-in outside one of the venues, and a 'swarm' with angry placards. Similar demands were being made in Feb 2020, suggesting that the London Fashion Week organisers had not heeded the calls of the 2019 event. And again in 2023.

Responses were largely statements recognising the problem and that it is a climate emergency. - but no obvious sign of any change by London Fashion Week. That said, the British Fashion Council did produce a substantial plan seeking to address the climate emergency, including the creation of the Institute of Positive Fashion. Although in 2022 XR responded to the ambitions of the British Fashion Council saying: "With all due respect, the progress we have seen has simply not been sufficient. In fact, The Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2019 update found that the rate of social and environmental performance progress had actually slowed from the previous year. The status quo remains steadfastly in place, proving that BFC’s current approach will not deliver the impact needed to transform the industry with the speed of progress that is required."

Number of protest events: at least 5

Time of campaign:  5 days

Type of actions: stunts

Level of disruption caused by protest: minimal - mainly demonstrations and stunts with no substantial disruption (2)

Reputation damage:  moderate - drew considerable media attention (2)

Included legal action:  no (1)

Political support (opposition): none reported (0)

Political support (government): none reported

independent group or NGO:  independent (1)

type of goals: change fashion show policy

scale of goals: large/substantial  (3) - for fashion industry to change in response to climate change

type of target:  corporations (2)

immediate perceptible impact? - no (0)

outcome:  limited achievements (1) there were certainly recognition of the emergency by British Fashion Council, with lots of statements indicating plans to improve the fashion industry's environmentalist record, but XR themselves highlighted that this had not translated into meaningful change

Sources:

https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/13/blood-soaked-extinction-rebellion-members-stage-die-in-at-london-fashion-week-10737106/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7459625/Extinction-Rebellion-demonstrators-douse-stage-die-London-Fashion-Week.html

https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/extinction-rebellion-london-fashion-week-climate-change-protests

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/sep/17/extinction-rebellion-stage-funeral-at-london-fashion-week-finale

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/extinction-rebellion-protest-at-gatwick-and-london-fashion-week

https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/extinction-rebellion-london-fashion-week-coke-red-carpet-oil-die-in-b1061961.html

http://www.change-climate.com/Protests_Climate_Change_Demonstrators_Protestors/Extinction_Rebellion/Fast_Fashion_Week_Clothing_Extinction_Rebellion_Protests_London_British_Council.htm

https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/bfcnews/4603/FASHIONS-PATH-TO-NET-ZERO

https://www.ecotextile.com/2020021425704/fashion-retail-news/fashion-council-responds-to-xr-pressure.html