Protestors from Extinction Rebellion (XR) Forres and new troupe campaigners Oil Slicks took part in recent protests against Big Oil in Aberdeen

LOCAL environmentalists took part in recent protests against ‘Big Oil’ in Aberdeen.

Protestors from Extinction Rebellion (XR) Forres and new troupe campaigners ‘Oil Slicks’ raised awareness of the Government’s willingness to open new oil fields despite climate change and international promises made at COP26 last year.

A spokesperson confirmed around seven people from XR Forres attended ‘Climate Camp Scotland’ in St Fitticks Park, during which time Oil Slicks separately carried out an interpretive dance routine outside Shell’s headquarters at Alten’s Farm Road.

She said: “Climate Camp Scotland is a space where activists and local communities affected by climate change and the energy transition learn from each other. XR Forres members attended workshops and took part in a mass trespass of the area of Aberdeen Harbour that is used by the oil industry, as well as a rally calling for an end to hotel detention for refugees.

“The new Oil Slicks group protested about the licence granted to Shell by the UK government for the new Jackdaw gas field, and the record-breaking profits being made by the company whilst ordinary people suffer rocketing energy prices due to our unnecessary continued dependence on fossil fuels.

“We carried out the performance at the end of the Climate Camp simply because we were near Shell’s HQ and wanted to avoid making two separate trips to Aberdeen. Like the Red Rebels, the Oil Slicks are an independent group. The performance involved us slowly walking up to Shell’s (locked) front gates then creating slicks with our costumes.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) most recent report states rapid climate change is being caused by human activities. In order to slow this, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be slashed urgently. The International Energy Agency (IEA), climate scientists, and energy experts advise no new oil and gas fields should be opened anywhere. Despite this and damage already caused by 1.2C degrees of warming alone, the UK government is issuing licences for new oil and gas fields. On June 1, the UK approved the Jackdaw gas field owned by Shell.

Oil Slick, Simon Clark, said: “Jackdaw’s gas won’t lower bills but burning it will create the same amount of pollution as half of Scotland’s current emissions, making it impossible for us to reach net-zero by 2050, as per our legally-binding climate commitments under the Climate Change Act 2008. The root causes of the cost of living crisis are not the war in Ukraine or fuel shortages, but the calculated profiteering of fossil fuel companies. While our leaders carry on as normal, we are expected us to do the same. We must say no to any more new oil and gas for our and our children’s future.”

On July 26, Greenpeace UK launched a legal challenge to the UK Government’s approval of the Jackdaw gas field. Campaigning group Stop Cambo/Jackdaw have since announced a campaign from August 20-27 calling on people across the UK to come together to #StopJackdaw and all new oil and gas fields. Also to demand that the UK government halts its plans to approve dozens of new fossil fuel projects by the year 2025 and launch another licensing round for new oil and gas exploration this autumn.

Mr Clark added: “Our government must stop placing the grotesque interests of Big Oil shareholders over the public good, the health of the planet and future sustainability, and start investing now in a just and rapid transition to clean energy. The science is clear; the time is now.”