LONDON- On Thursday, Greenpeace activists protested against British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government's policy on oil drilling by draping his private home in black fabric.

Sunak's environmental stance has faced criticism, as he advocated for a "proportionate approach" to climate change, aiming to balance net zero goals with the need to keep consumers' bills affordable. This approach has angered climate protesters, leading to disruptions in various events and speeches.

In response to the escalating campaigns, Sunak's ministers have introduced new laws to curb protester tactics, including slow walking in busy roads and "locking-on" to buildings or infrastructure. The protests and the government's actions reflect the growing tensions over environmental policies and climate change in the UK.

Greenpeace UK activists took their protest against British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's environmental policies to a new level by draping his Yorkshire property in black fabric. Pictures shared online showed four protesters on the roof, covering the house with black fabric, while a banner questioned Sunak's choices between "Oil Profits or Our Future?" Even after two hours, four protesters remained on the roof with a sign stating "NO NEW OIL."

Greenpeace's demonstration targeted the government's support for new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea and the proposed development of Equinor's Rosebank oilfield, which is awaiting a final investment decision. The environmental organization criticized Sunak's stance, calling for him to be a climate leader rather than a "climate arsonist." The protest highlights the ongoing tension between climate activists and the government's approach to oil and gas development in the UK.

Following the Greenpeace protest at Rishi Sunak's private home, the British Prime Minister was reported to have left for a holiday in California on Wednesday. Authorities stated that the area had been contained, and no unauthorized individuals entered the building during the protest.

Additionally, a separate demonstration occurred outside Sunak's official residence and office in Downing Street on Thursday.

The protests are part of the mounting criticism against Sunak's environmental policies, with Greenpeace dubbing him a "climate arsonist." While the UK set a 2050 net zero carbon emission target in 2019 and has been expanding renewable energy capacity, the recent situation with Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted the government to prioritize energy security.

As a result, on Monday, they committed to granting hundreds of licenses for North Sea oil and gas extraction in efforts to enhance energy independence.

The ongoing protests and government decisions reflect the delicate balance between climate change commitments and the imperative to secure the nation's energy resources.

The British government's approval of its first new deep coal mine in decades in December has raised concerns among some members of Rishi Sunak's Conservative party. A recent poll indicated that 67% of voters believe the government is handling environmental issues poorly, the worst rating since mid-2019 when public opinion on the matter started being tracked.

Criticism has been directed at Prime Minister Sunak for what some perceive as backsliding on environmental commitments. One minister who resigned in June stated that Sunak showed little interest in green issues.

However, Sunak defended his environmental record, asserting that Britain has outperformed other major countries in carbon emissions reduction. He emphasized the government's focus on energy security, using domestic resources to avoid reliance on aggressive nations like Vladimir Putin's Russia for energy supplies.

The ongoing debate underscores the challenges faced by the government in balancing environmental concerns with energy security in the context of geopolitical complexities.