The Criminalisation of Climate Activism

In recent years, the climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion has repeatedly been

branded as a terrorist organisation. In November 2019, Counter-Terrorism Policing South East

(CTPSE) included the group in a guidance booklet intended for identifying members of

extremist ideologies. This document warned people to look out for members of the public that

spoke in ‘emotive terms about environmental issues’ and young people that made

‘environmentally themed graffiti’; it went on to suggest that they should refer these individuals

to the Prevent programme [1].

Former Shadow Attorney-General Shami Chakrabarti has voiced her concern that non-violent

protest now appears to equate terrorism. She said: “it begins with a sloppy lack of legal

definition and soon critics of government policy are branded as enemies of the state” [2].

Although CTPSE later recalled its guidance booklet, it is clear that Extinction Rebellion

is still viewed as a threat by the Government. According to Priti Patel’s recent statements,

Extinction Rebellion should be labelled as an organised crime group.

Nick Aldworth, a former counter-terrorism national co-ordinator, has stated that the potential

legislative changes are ‘actually a subversion of the intentions of the law’ [3]. Under the

Terrorism Act 2000, use of violence against person or property only constitutes terrorism if

used to influence the government of the day (or an international governmental organisation)

and to advance a political, religious, racial or ideological agenda [4]. Whilst Extinction

Rebellion clearly intends to influence the Government, it should not be considered a terrorist

organisation because the potential extinction of the human race is an existential issue rather

than a political or ideological one. My contention is, therefore, that the Government’s current

position on this matter is logically, legally and ethically flawed.

[1] Vikram Dodd and Jamie Grierson, ‘Terrorism police list Extinction Rebellion as extremist

ideology’ (The Guardian, 10 January 2020) <https://www.theguardian.com/uk

news/2020/jan/10/xr-extinction-rebellion-listed-extremist-ideology-police-prevent-scheme-

guidance> accessed 5 December 2021.

[2] Tom Wall, ‘Wrong to label Extinction Rebellion as extremists, says Home Office adviser’ (The

Guardian, 21 August 2021) <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/21/wrong-

to-label-extinction-rebellion-as-extremists-says-home-office-adviser> accessed 5 December

2021.

[3] Marthe de Ferrer, ‘Extinction Rebellion responds to ‘ridiculous’ criminalisation threat’

(Euronews.green, 8 September 2020)

<https://www.euronews.com/green/2020/09/07/extinction-rebellion-responds-to-

ridiculous-criminalisation-threat> accessed 5 December 2021.

[4] Terrorism Act 2000, s 1(1)-(2)(a)-(b).