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Millennium Bridge: Business people protest with queue for climate

BBC A woman stands on Millennium bridge, holding a sign that says 'we queue for climate and nature'BBC
Protestors were calling for urgent governmental action on climate change

Hundreds of business people gathered on London's Millennium Bridge to call for urgent governmental climate action.

'The Queue for Climate and Nature' was organised by Business Declares and Business Stand Up on Friday.

Dressed in business attire, demonstrators walked out of work to form an orderly queue along the bridge.

The Government said it has invested heavily in the renewables sector and that the transition away from fossil fuels "cannot happen overnight".

Test-shoots A group of business people lean over a handrail on millennium bridge, bright blue sky in the background and city scapeTest-shoots
Business people queued up along the bridge

People who joined the queue signed an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and all political parties asking them to commit to three key actions to speed up the transition to a more environmentally friendly world.

It asked them to commit to investing in renewables, take action to protect and restore nature, and end new fossil fuel developments in the UK, including approvals for oil and gas exploration.

A woman and man hold a sign in front of millennium bridge, saying 'businesses stand up'. She is pointing up. A queue of demonstrators is seen behind them.
From left: Chris Turner, executive director of BlabUK and Charlotte Sewell, co-founder of Business Stand Up

Charlotte Sewell, co-founder of Business Stand Up, said: "The Government's action on climate so far has been inadequate.

"We believe if the Government acts now, our businesses will be secure and our families will be safe. We cannot do business on a dead planet."

Ms Sewell said the campaign will put pressure on all political parties on the lead up to the general election, expected next year.

Chris Turner, an executive director, said the event was a "bit of fun" with a "serious message behind it".

He added: "We're serious about tackling this crisis. Government, you need to do your bit as well."

A man and woman stand on millennium bridge. Man is in a top hat and suit, woman is in a suit.
Char Love (left), the global director of advocacy for Natura & Co and Sam Baker, chairman of Change Drivers, were also demonstrating

The chief executives of Ella's Kitchen and Cook, directors at Divine Chocolate and The Body Shop owner Natura & Co, were among the business leaders backing the campaign.

Char Love, the global director of advocacy for Natura & Co, told the BBC: "Let's be honest, there is no business that works on a planet that has rising levels of emissions.

"Now is a moment we need to be engaging with all parties on making sure climate is a real priority."

Two woman stand side by side at demonstration, holding climate action signs
From left: Behavini Patel Marketing consultant and Parisa Wright Lawyer and environmental consultant

Parisa Wright, who was a lawyer in the City of London, said: "Having been in business for 20 years I know there are a lot of businesses who want to do the right thing but they need the support and encouragement from government."

Wildlife TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham urged businesses to join the demonstration to "send a clear message to our politicians that we need action to address climate breakdown now".

PA Media Chris PackhamPA Media
TV presenter Chris Packham is backing the demonstration

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "While we respect the right to protest, the transition to non-fossil forms of energy cannot happen overnight and even when we're net zero, we still need some oil and gas."

They added that the Government has attracted around £120bn investment in renewables since 2010 and that the UK decarbonised faster than any other G7 country.

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