Greenpeace UK has launched a petition urging the British government to introduce permanent taxes on oil and gas companies that earn windfall profits during wars and other crises. The proceeds would be used to support communities affected by climate disasters, ease high energy bills and invest in climate solutions.
Greenpeace called on people across the United Kingdom to sign the petition urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to put the interests of ordinary people before those of big polluters.The main demand is to introduce taxes on companies making windfall profits from oil and gas.
The counter on the petition page currently shows more than 233,000 signatures. The target is 250,000.
“Oil giants like Shell are driving the greatest threat to humanity. They are knowingly fuelling climate chaos in their reckless hunt for new oil and gas, causing floods, fires and droughts across the globe – hitting poorer countries particularly hard,” the petition reads.
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Greenpeace noted in an Instagram post that Shell made a profit of USD 9.8 billion in the second quarter. “While Shell CEO Wael Sawan and his shareholders are getting richer, our beautiful planet is paying the price,” reads the post urging people to sign the petition.
Polluter tax revenue could support communities affected by climate disasters
Greenpeace stressed that every instance of global instability, from the war launched by the United States and Israel in the Middle East to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, causes household bills to rise drastically, and that at the same time, major fossil fuel companies and their ultra-rich shareholders continue to profit.
According to the organisation, tax proceeds from polluters could help communities affected by climate disasters. It could be used to fund vital emergency services responding to extreme weather and to invest in climate solutions.
