Bournemouth and Poole Greenpeace calls on Government to “Make Polluters Pay” as Shell announces bumper profits.
Activists from Bournemouth and Poole Greenpeace staged protests outside two Shell petrol stations on July 30, 2026, calling on the government to make major fossil fuel companies pay for the damage caused by the climate crisis.
Campaigners gathered outside Shell petrol stations on Barrack Road in Christchurch and in Springbourne in Bournemouth, displaying large banners reading “Make polluters pay” alongside handmade placards, with messages including “Another hellish heatwave brought to you by Shell” and “Shell profits while the planet burns.”
The peaceful demonstrations were carefully organised to avoid disrupting motorists or blocking access to either petrol station. Instead, the action was aimed at highlighting the role of major oil and gas companies in driving the climate crisis while continuing to make enormous profits.
The protest coincided with Shell’s latest quarterly profit announcement, in which the company reported profits of $9.8 billion (£7.4bn), whilst continuing to invest in new oil and gas projects.
The demonstration comes after another summer marked by extreme heat across the UK, with soaring temperatures placing pressure on public health, infrastructure and the natural environment. Scientists have repeatedly shown that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and more intense.
Simon O’Connor, co-ordinator of Bournemouth and Poole Greenpeace, said:
“As communities across the UK endure increasingly extreme heat, it’s impossible to ignore the contrast between the impacts of climate change and the profits being made by fossil fuel companies like Shell. While ordinary people face rising temperatures and the growing costs of climate disruption, oil giants continue to invest in expanding the very industry driving the crisis.
“We have a real opportunity to choose a different path. The UK has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, and investing in clean energy can cut emissions, reduce energy bills, improve energy security and create good local jobs. Rather than allowing continued expansion of oil and gas, our government should accelerate the transition to renewable energy and ensure that major polluters contribute fairly to the costs of the climate crisis.
“The choices made today will shape the future our communities inherit. We need leadership that puts people and the planet before fossil fuel profits.”
Bournemouth and Poole Greenpeace is calling on local MPs to support policies that speed up the UK’s transition to renewable energy while ensuring that the biggest polluters help fund climate action and climate resilience.
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