Please only attend either rally if you are feeling well, sanitise your hands regularly, and if possible, wear a mask whilst in the vicinity of other people, particularly if you're planning to hand out flyers to the public. Where possible, please avoid public transport, particularly where that is crowded. See our Covid19 risk assessment.

What to bring

• Warm, comfortable clothing, water, hand sanitiser, and a mask.
• You don't need to, but if you want to make a banner - fantastic! But we're asking everyone not to brand banners with any group's logos that they may be a member of. That's because we want to keep the visual message focused on the West Cumbria coal mine proposal, and the absurdity of considering opening a new coal mine as we're at the tipping point of runaway climate change.
• We'll supply some leaflets you can hand out to members of the public if you feel comfortable doing that, spreading the message futher.

Background

The proposed West Cumbria coal mine is going to a public inquiry called by Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick on 07 Sep 2021 and will last for at least 4 weeks. If the coal mine gets permission, it'll emit around 9 million tonnes of CO2 per year, and commit the UK to extracting 2.78 million tonnes of coal annually, until 2049 - or even 2070, if the mining company gets its way. The Climate Change Committee has officially stated this coal mine, expected to emit 9 million tonnes of CO2 per year for 40 years, is incompatible with the UK's climate change commitments. Promises by West Cumbria Mining Ltd of jobs and tax income are undermined by its investors, EMR Capital Resources, which has offices in the Cayman Islands tax haven - see our parody brochure for more information.

We want to ensure there is a visible show of public support for an end to coal mining in the UK, in solidarity with the local communities in Whitehaven, West Cumbria, who don't want this on their doorsteps, as well as communities living in the global south who'll bear the brunt of the climate change impacts this coal mine would contribute to. We want to show what the people think rather than what NGOs or campaign groups think. As such, we won't have any banners with our own logo on and we ask anyone attending not to bring branding of groups they may belong to.

Questions?

Email Anne@coalaction.org.uk and Daniel@coalaction.org.uk

Some of the groups involved in resisting this coal mine proposal

This campaign is primarily driven by committed Cumbrian activists for have been fighting this proposal for years. One of these Cumbrian groups is SLACC, who have pulled together a legal team to take on West Cumbria Mining Ltd's own legal team in the public inquiry. SLACC's website has a wealth of detailed information.

Friends of the Earth is working alongside the local campaign, and supporting it with capacity and training. Friends of the Earth are also taking an important role against the West Cumbria Mining Ltd in the upcoming public inquiry.

*****

UPDATE: Hamilton clearly felt the pressure from you - so much so that they sent us our first ever take-down notice, threatening legal action. Thanks for letting us know it worked Hamilton. 

If Hamilton wants to avoid more actions like this, they need to create a proper policy around their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

*****

Purpose of the action:

This action is about having conversations with Hamilton staff. We are aiming to informing them, and respectfully call on them to take action. Every call reminds them that we care deeply about their actions, and that we won't stop till they opt out.

You can download the contact details of those we will be contacting here: [this is the link Hamilton was worried about].

Steps and tips:

• First, check the timezone of the office you are calling.
• Expect to get some voicemail messages, and use this as an opportunity to practice.
• Don’t ask them to verify who they are. Instead, call them by their first name and say hello, e.g.‘Hello Pina’.
• Let them know where you are calling from.
• Give your short explanation for the call and end with an open-ended question that requires them to answer it.
• Listen carefully and note down everything they say.

Talking points and conversation starters:

We've added these as suggestions of what you can bring up if you're feeling stuck, but they're by no means definitive or a strict checklist. Above all, it's important that you personalise the call. Add in your own knowledge and experience, your own reasons for opposing the Adani mine, and other climate-destroying projects.

• Ask them when Hamilton’s ESG Policy will be completed, and whether it rule out insuring all fossil fuel projects.
• Remind them that other companies have ruled out Adani without an ESG.
• Show that Hamilton is out of step with its own industry. It's is now listed in the insurance press as one of a few avoiding making a commitment. 36 insurers, including many from the Lloyds marketplace, have ruled out Adani.
• Raise the environmental issues. The mine will be the second biggest in the world, use a huge amount of water, and contribute to the destruction of habitats. This includes those inhabited by endangered animals.
• Raise the governance issues. Adani Ports has maintained business ties with a sanctioned Myanmar military-owned company in breach of the UN Global Compact Principles.
• Raise the social issues. Indigenous custodians (Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council) have been removed and are unable continue access to cultural practice. Further to this, cultural and spiritual sites have been destroyed, and cultural leader Adrian Burragubba has been bankrupt.

Take part in our UK-wide day of action against Lloyd’s of London (no relation to Lloyds bank) and their marketplace insurers of fossil fuel projects on 17 May - the day many will be returning to their offices after lockdown. We need to let the Lloyd’s of London's marketplace know we’re aware of the critical role they and their insurers play in enabling risky climate-wrecking projects from the first day they return to their offices.

How do I get involved?

There are actions outside the offices of fossil fuel insurers all around the UK - check out what's happening near you and sign up to get more info!

What kind of action?

Anything you want - get creative! An old bedsheet and a bit of paint is all you need for a banner. And we'll post you fliers to hand out to insurance staff and the public so you don't have to remember all the facts (email us a postal address).

We've made a full action brief that's got lots more details, ideas, background, resources, and legal stuff in.

Can't get out on the streets, or there isn't an action happening near you?

Please help us make a big impact on social media. Check out our social media pack for sample messages to share before the action and on the day.

Background

We’re demanding Lloyd’s of London insurers act now to rule out insuring the Adani (Carmichael) and West Cumbria coal mines, and fossil fuel projects more widely. Lloyd’s of London has so far only said they’re willing to rule out new insurance trades on Arctic exploration, thermal coal, and Canadian tar sands by the end of 2021…but allow the renewal of insurance of even these shameful practices until 2030. That’s an insult to the Paris Agreement and to all communities that will suffer the worst effects of climate change.

Lloyd’s of London marketplace is in the top 4 for insuring fossil fuel projects - and underwrite fossil fuel projects that other insurance companies won't touch, allowing mining companies to take risks exploring and unearthing new fossil fuels that we need to keep in the ground. Insurance is a vulnerable link in the chain needed to start and continue these huge climate-wrecking projects.

Despite being one of the main insurance marketplaces propping up the glob al fossil fuel industry, these insurance trades only account for around 5% of Lloyd’s of London insurance market. That means, with enough encouragement, insurance for all fossil fuel projects—such as the Adani or West Cumbria coal mine—could be banned. Join us in taking action to stop some of the riskiest, climate-wrecking fossil fuel mega-projects in their tracks.

Purpose of the action: This action is about having a conversation with staff members with the aim of connecting, informing, and respectfully calling on them to take action.

Phone call talking points:

• Because of when we are calling them, you probably won’t get through. That’s ok! We will just leave them loads of messages in their voicemail.
• Be polite and respectful.
• Let them know where you are calling from.
• Let them know about Adani’s coal mine in Australia and why you are concerned.
• Ask them if they’ve heard about Adani’s coal mine.
• Let them know that many Lloyd’s insurers have ruled out insuring Adani.
• Let them know you are ringing to ask that Ark takes action for a safe climate by publicly ruling out providing insurance for Adani’s coal mine.
• IMPORTANT: If you do get through to a staff member and they say ‘they aren’t involved’ or ‘they won’t be involved’ ask for them to send it to you in writing. Let them know your email address so they can send it to you.

PHONE CALL REPORT BACK

To help us collect intel on how Ark are reacting, if you get through to someone at Ark, please email info@stopadani.com with info about what happened and what was said.

EXAMPLE SCRIPT 

(feel free to adapt, especially if you are leaving a message in the voicemail)

Hi there, am I speaking with [staff name]? [listen]

Hi [staff name], my name is [your name]. I’m calling from [where you are from]. I’m calling because I have some questions about Ark’s involvement with Adani’s Charmichael coal project in Australia. Do you know about this coal mine? [listen]

I’m really concerned about this coal mine because [your reasons].

We know there are Lloyd’s insurers working with Adani. We have reason to believe that Ark could be one of the insurers involved, as it hasn’t joined the growing list of other Lloyd’s insurers that have ruled out insuring Adani’s coal project.

I’m calling you, because as an Ark employee, your voice is powerful. We are calling on Ark to be a climate champion and rule out insuring this coal project. Is this something you would like to see Ark do? [listen]

We’re looking for a written statement along the lines of: “Ark will not provide insurance for Adani’s Carmichael coal mine, rail, or port.” Even if Ark is currently insuring Adani, we will take this as a commitment to not re-extend the insurance.

Would you be willing to raise this internally? [listen]

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me today. I really appreciate it.

[Ring off]

Purpose of the action:

Send Ark Insurance’s management LinkedIn messages and get them to stop insuring the Adani coal mine.

How will it works:

If you have LinkedIn, log in. If you don’t have it, follow the process (at the end of this page) to set up a profile, and then come back here.

Step 1: click on one of the ARK staff’s LinkedIn profiles provided below. This will open their profile in a new window.

Step 2: click on “connect” and then “add a note” to send them a message asking them to rule out insuring new coal and Adani.

Step 3: Type in your message. This will allow for a max. of 300 characters. Once you have finished typing, click on send.

Step 4: Done! Now send messages to as many other contacts as possible!

NOTE Instead of clicking on “connect”, you can also click on “message” the contacts. This will allow for longer messages, but messages can only be sent to max. 5 people per month from each account (depending on your payment plan).

Setting up a LinkedIn profile

Step 1: Head over to https://www.linkedin.com/signup/ and type in your email and chosen password. Then click on “agree & join”. You can also join with google.

Step 2: Type in your first name and surname, then click on “continue”.

Step 3: Do the security verification. Then fill in details about your location, and click on “next”.

Step  4: You’re done! Now go back to the beginning of the page and start messaging ARK employees.

Purpose of the action:

Send loads of calendar invites to insurance company directors and CEOs, to demand they rule out insurance for the West Cumbria coal mine. They will find all of these invites on their mail inbox next time they will open it. Annoying, right? 😉 But if they keep on ignoring our emails then we've got to find new ways to pressure them.

How will it work:

You can use Google Calendar or other calendar apps, such as Outlook calendar or Apple calendar. Our instruction in this how-to are just for Google Calendars, but it's a similar process for most apps.

If you don’t have an account set up with this ability, see the section at the end of this page which explains how to set up a Google account, and then come back here.

Step 1: Open google calendar, at https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r and sign in if you need to. It should look roughly like this:

Step 2: Select a weekly view for your calendar. You should be able to do it through the drop-down menu on the top-right of your page:

Step 3: Select timings for a meeting. Click on a time over the next week over which you want to set up the meeting. A pop-up window asking you to set up details for the meeting should appear:

Step 4: Add title to the event. This should be the message you want the CEOs to get, such as “Don’t insure the West Cumbria coal mine”. Find below some ideas, if you want to copy and paste them.

Step 5: Add guests to your event. You will need to copy and paste the CEOs emails (find them below) here. This will send an event reminder to their emails. Make sure the emails are separated by a comma (we have added it below). Then click on save.

CEOs emails (just copy and paste them, with the commas):

williamhillman@aegislimited.com, darren.powell@awac.com, james@aianalysts.com, alex.christians@anv.eu.com, jlye@qicglobal.com, david.ibeson@apollounderwriting.com, hsturgess@archinsurance.co.uk, david.monksfield@argentagroup.com, david.snowden@argogroupus.com, ian.beaton@arkunderwriting.com, andrew.brooks@ascotuw.com, jamie.lewis@aspen-re.com, j.tighe@asta-uk.com, Richard.Harries@atrium-uw.com, victoria.rodriguesdacosta@axiscapital.com, david.reeves@barbicaninsurance.com, sally.lake@beazley.com, brian.randall@britinsurance.com, Rachel.Sabbarton@canopius.com, CSIS.enquiries@capita.com, sean.mcgovern@axaxl.com, ed.lines@chaucerplc.com, evan.greenberg@chubb.com, Jalil.Rehman@cnahardy.com, jjames@sompo-intl.com, peter.bilsby@ers.com, tom.shelley@faraday.com, adrian.daws@hamiltongroup.com, Stephen.harris@hampden.co.uk, srivera@tmhcc.com, kate.markham@hiscox.com, alex.priestley@lancashiregroup.com, matthew.moore@libertyglobalgroup.com, csmelt@mapunderwriting.co.uk, paul.jenks@markelintl.com, Chris.Beazley@msamlin.com, jgrainger@munichre.com, timothy.ryan@thehartford.com, richard.oduntan@nephila.com, AHiggins@newlinegroup.com, bofarrell@premiareus.com, david.harries@uk.qbe.com, bmd@renre.com, david.pearson@rsml.co.uk, matthew.bartlett@sameacock.com, robert.harman@siriusgroup.com, James.johnson@starrcompanies.com, Paula.Storey@talbotuw.com, smcmurdo@scor.com, nick.hutton-penman@tokiomarinekiln.com, nrnjak@travelers.com, ablades@wrbunderwriting.com

Step 6: After clicking on save, google will ask you if you want to send invitation emails to Google Calendar guests. Click on “send”. You’re done!

Step 7: Create as many events as you can!

Title Ideas:

Reminder: Don’t insure the West Cumbria mine!

Reminder: Commit to never insure the West Cumbria mine!

Reminder: Stop insuring coal projects!

Announce policy, rule out insuring coking coal

Announce policy, rule out insuring the West Cumbria mine!

Reminder: Insure our future, not coal!

Setting up a google account

If you don’t have a google account, you will need to set one up to use the calendar function. Here is how.

Step 1: Head over to the ‘create your Google Account’ page and fill in your data, then click ‘next’.

Step 2: Fill in recovery details (optional), DOB and gender details in the next page, then click ‘next’.

Step 3: Choose what level of personalisation you want to set, then click on ‘next’. The express option will be faster, but will give you less control over what data google collects of you. You can change these settings later on too.

Step 4: Once you have finished personalising your account, you will be asked to agree to Google’s Privacy and Terms. Click on ‘I agree’.

Step 5: You’re done! Now click on the ‘calendar’ tool on the top right corner and start creating events 🙂

Right now, Lloyd’s of London is insuring climate wrecking coal mines, tar sands pipelines and power stations, across the world. Insurers can single-handedly stop fossil fuel projects, but have failed for decades to take action in the face of a climate emergency.

Lloyd’s accounts for 40% of the total global energy insurance premium and is a key influencer in the global insurance industry. Send Lloyd’s a message to act on the climate emergency, not act as the last refuge for climate wreckers to secure insurance!

Even in a year of lockdowns and restrictions, people across the world are standing up to Lloyd’s, and it’s working.

Leading the charge has been the #StopAdani movement in Australia. They have pushed most of Lloyd’s insurers to rule out insuring a coal mine that would open up the Galilee Basin and potentially more than double Australia’s current coal exports.

Adani's proposed coal mine is the most environmentally and socially contentious project in Australia's history, the object of years-long resistance from the Wangan and Jagalingou Traditional Owners and the broader community.

Just days after 750 people in the UK joined the Stop Adani movement by writing and calling Lloyd'd insurance companies, the extra pressure helped convince Brit to rule out insuring the Adani coal mine. Now the Stop Adani moment has asked us to pile the pressure on another key Lloyd's insurer - Hiscox.

Hiscox are rumoured to be sitting on an unreleased coal policy, that could see them stopping insuring all new coal mines. We want them to realise their policy ahead of the 3rd March, when they announce their annual profits.

Help #StopAdani get in touch with top Lloyd's insurer Hiscox now!

Get in contact via Hiscox via LinkedIn, Phone or even Google calenders!

Write to Hiscox to demand they rule out Adani

There's a growing momentum against a new coking coal in Cumbria.

Coal Action Network has now handed in our petition to the Secretary of State, but there are plenty of ways you can be involved. Will you share the video on your social media?

South Lakes Action on Climate Change Crowd funder to raise money to pay for legal challenges to the planning permission

Greenpeace's massive petition to Boris Johnson

Campaign to Protect Rural England's call to contact the Secretary of State

Want to join other Coal Action Network actions? Join our mailing list and never miss a call to action.

Want us to add your  to get amplification of your actions against this application?

Contact us and we can share them here. Info  [at] coalaction.org.uk

Thanks to everyone who helped, this action was a success and resulted in this coverage, ‘Coal is not the goal’: Teenage climate activists deliver petition to government over Cumbria coal mine

Opposition is growing to a plan for a massive underground coking coal mine under the sea near Whitehaven, in the north west of England. Cumbria County Council gave permission for the mine to extract nearly 3 million tonnes of coal until 2049. The coal is mostly for export and is ‘coking’ coal that would be consumed by the carbon-intensive steel industry. [1] Despite this, the mining company claim the coal mined would be ‘carbon neutral’.., and the Council believed them! Mining new coal can never be carbon neutral of course, but if there’s any doubt, here’s an expert explaining why. We're angry that the government is failing to stop this coal mine, not least in the same year that it hosts the COP26 global climate summit. The government can still stop this mine.
Thanks to everyone who sent us photos are part of this process. We are going to be putting them into a film and releasing them to the media and on social media soon. Watch this space!

For those who sent us photos, you agreed that: By sending us a photo, you and your parent/guardian agree for us to use the photo in the video described, on our website and social media, and to share with third-party video producers and media. You also understand that you may be identifiable from the photo and the photo may be used in related campaigns in the future. We won't publish your name unless it’s in your image, or we ask you first. If you change your mind later, we can delete your photo but we cannot remove it where others have saved it/shared it.

Many thanks,

Anne Harris and the team at Coal Action Network

References

[1] Cumbria County Council Executive Director - Economy and Infrastructure, Development

control and regulation committee Application Reference No:4/17/90077.17 (2 October 2020)

[2] Ember, Europe’s coal power collapse exposes steel plants as Europe’s biggest emitters (2019) https://ember-climate.org/project/ets-2019-release/