BP Boss Bernard Looney OilyFans Billboard at Trafalgar Square, London
Fossil fuel bosses are in Downing Street today for talks on the future of the UK’s energy system, while millions of Brits struggle with a cost-of-living crisis caused by our deep dependency on fossil fuels. That's something we really aren't fans of.
We thought this was the right moment to take our OilyFans campaign to the next level. So, we’ve gone mobile and taken BP CEO Bernard Looney on tour around London to highlight the stark inequalities at the heart of the UK’s energy system, which has seen energy bosses like Looney take home millions while millions of Brits have been struggling to pay their gas bills.
Introducing: OilyFans on wheels. Our electric Digi-van has been cruising up and down Whitehall today—the first leg of its journey.
BP Boss Bernard Looney OilyFans Billboard outside Downing Street, London
The campaign was launched last month after controversial OnlyFans billboards across London received a barrage of complaints. Global Witness rebranded these as 'OilyFans' to raise awareness of the obscene amounts of money oil executives earned from the energy crisis. The OilyFans billboard, erected across London, references BP CEO Bernard Looney's huge pay ‘package’.
After a drive-by at Number 10, Bernard will be touring London’s landmarks, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and Oxford Street.
BP Boss Bernard Looney OilyFans Billboard at Whitehall with the backdrop of Big Ben, London
A Love Affair with Fossil Fuels?
The UK’s Conservative party is increasingly looking like the political wing of the fossil fuel industry. We have revealed that between January and March of this year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his top climate and energy ministers have met with fossil fuel companies a staggering 54 times. That's a lot of handshakes and cups of tea.
Here's a quick breakdown:
- 54 meetings: That's more than once every two days!
- 20% of all lobbying meetings: Yup, one-fifth of all the schmoozing they did was with the fossil fuel industry.
Just two days after he waved his wand to grant 100 new oil and gas licenses in the UK’s North Sea on Monday, Sunak invited the bosses of BP, Shell and other major energy players to Downing Street to meet with Energy Minister Grant Shapps on Wednesday. So, if you're out and about in London this week, watch out for the OilyFans billboard. You may even be inspired to snap a selfie with it—just don't get too close. It might be a bit slick.
BP Boss Bernard Looney OilyFans Billboard outside Downing Street waiting for PM Rishi Sunak, London