Climate protesters targeted the shareholder meetings of energy firms BP and Drax, demanding accountability for environmental and health issues. The protests, which involved notable figures including broadcaster Chris Packham, occurred during BP’s meeting in Surrey and Drax’s gathering in London.

At the Drax meeting, activists criticized the company’s use of wood pellets for electricity, citing it as unsustainable and harmful. The protest escalated inside the venue, with disruptions affecting the proceedings. In contrast, at BP’s shareholder meeting in Surrey, attempts by protesters to interrupt the meeting led to several arrests. Protesters expressed concerns over BP’s environmental practices and alleged health impacts, particularly from operations such as the Rumaila oilfield in Iraq.

Aside from these events, Hussain Julood is pursuing legal action against BP in the UK, seeking justice for his son Ali, who died of leukaemia attributed to toxic emissions from the Rumaila oilfield. Julood contends that BP holds responsibility for the environmental and health damages inflicted on the local community due to its significant stake in the oilfield’s operations.

Despite the protests, both BP and Drax passed all proposed resolutions at their meetings without significant shareholder opposition. Critics, however, remain vocal about the companies’ environmental practices and their impact on communities. These incidents illustrate the ongoing conflict between corporate operations and environmental advocacy, reflecting a broader call for accountability and sustainability in the energy sector.