Christians held a dramatic ‘die-in’ action outside the Treasury offices on Wednesday 20th May to highlight deaths due to climate change if we the government approves a new oilfield in UK waters.

Six people lay on the ground, covered in fake blood while descriptions of deaths due to famine, floods, heat and drought were read out, outside the Treasury offices on Wednesday. The action highlighted the real cost for humanity of continuing to expand oil and gas extraction during a time of Climate Emergency.

If the Rosebank oilfield is approved it will produce more than 200million tonnes of CO2, the same as the annual emissions of the world’s 28 poorest countries combined, or 70% of the UK’s annual emissions.

Rev James Grote, a Baptist minister, said:

“Every year we delay moving away from fossil fuels, more lives are damaged by floods, fires, heatwaves and hunger. We cannot keep sacrificing people and communities to protect the profits of oil giants. If we are serious about hope, justice and protecting God’s creation, then we must act now – and that means stopping Rosebank.”

Rosebank’s original approval was overturned by a Scottish Court of Session in January 2025 and oil company Equinor was ordered to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment which included the impact of burning its 200 million barrels of oil.

The Government is expected to decide on the new application in June or July amid fears of a policy shift if Chancellor Rachel Reeves is attracted by tax receipts produced by the oilfield.

Rosebank will do nothing to provide the UK with energy security or lower household bills, as the oil is almost entirely bound for export. The huge cost of developing the oilfield will be mainly borne by the UK taxpayer but its profits will go overseas as Equinor is a Norwegian company which is 67% owned by the Norwegian government.

The oilfield could also produce around £253m for the Delek Group, an Israeli fuel conglomerate flagged by the UN for human rights violations in Palestine. The UK government has been warned it could breach its own obligations under international law if it approves the oilfield.

Judith Russenberger, a Franciscan tertiary and one of those who ‘died’, said: “Before entering government, Ed Miliband called Rosebank ‘climate vandalism’. He was right then, and he would be wrong to approve it now. At a time when millions are struggling with the cost of living, the Government should be investing in warm homes, affordable renewable energy and a fairer future – not pouring support into an expensive, polluting industry that keeps households trapped on the fossil fuel rollercoaster.”

Andy Hansen, a retired member of the British Council, added: “Clean energy is not just better for the planet – it’s cheaper, safer and more secure. The faster we move away from oil and gas, the faster we can protect people from rising bills and climate chaos.”

Photos: Members of Christian Climate Action lay covered in shrouds to represent the millions who will die due to climate change, as ministers prepare to decide on the North Sea’s largest undeveloped oilfield this summer.