Extinction Rebellion activists have staged a protest outside an insurance firm this morning.

Climate demonstrators waved banners and held up placards by the AXA Health office in Forest Road, Tunbridge Wells.

The eco-motivated pressure group claims the insurance company is playing a role in enabling fossil fuel expansion.

Protesters gathered from 8am and engaged with staff as they entered the building by handing out leaflets aimed at raising awareness.

Activists are urging AXA to stop insuring new coal, oil and gas projects and instead support renewable ones.

Dr Rebecca Sandys, a local GP, said: “The climate crisis will seriously harm our health and the health of the planet.

“It’s vital that we all act now to reduce carbon emissions. AXA needs to refuse to insure the fossil fuel industry.”

Paul Froome, a teacher from Rusthall, added: “I’d always thought it was great to have a good company like AXA Health in the town until I found out that other parts of the company are still insuring oil and gas projects.

“Healthcare looks after people. Oil and gas will destroy our health. They need to withdraw support from these destructive industries.”

Extinction Rebellion forms part of a global environmental movement which uses non-violent action to pressure governments into action.

Its core message is that the funding of fossil fuel extraction is perpetuating the acceleration of global temperatures.

A spokesperson said: “Whilst AXA can be commended for ruling out insuring the African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the announcement that they will no longer cover new gas fields as part of their updated energy policy contains a major loophole that needs to be closed.

“The energy policy includes an exception for projects developed by companies ‘in transition’.

“In 2023 AXA voted in support of the climate plan by TotalEnergies which continues to develop new fossil fuel projects and will produce 81% more oil and gas in 2030 than would be needed to match the new zero-emissions scenario and therefore does not align with any credible 1.5C pathway.”

The protest is part of week of action aimed at stopping “the insurance of climate chaos”, which will target several insurance companies across the UK.

Yesterday (February 27), eco-activists dressed in business attire and entered the lobbies of five different firms in London – including Tokio Marine, Zurich, Probitas, Talbot and Travelers.

They said they were staging a sit-in until bosses agree to talk to them about their decision to keep insuring oil and gas.

A spokesman from AXA said: “The AXA Group's Energy sector policy does not include restrictions on its insurance activities for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminals.

“The restrictions applied by AXA to its insurance activities under its Energy sector policy concern unconventional oil and gas, including shale oil and gas, and conventional oil and gas.

“In addition, the AXA Group no longer provides insurance cover (either for new or existing business) for shale oil and gas activities conducted by companies where more than 30% of total oil and gas production comes from shale oil and gas.

“With respect to conventional oil and gas, the AXA Group will no longer provide insurance for new oil exploration and development projects as of January 1, 2024, and for new gas exploration and development projects as of September 1, 2025.

“AXA regularly reviews and updates its investment and underwriting policies to align them with its ambitions in the fight against climate change...”

“Exceptions may be made for companies with a credible climate transition plan in place. The definition of a transition plan is detailed in our energy policy.

“AXA regularly reviews and updates its investment and underwriting policies to align them with its ambitions in the fight against climate change, while supporting its clients and the economy in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

“In June 2023, AXA announced for the first time, targets to drive the decarbonisation of some of its property and casualty portfolios as well as the development of its insurance activities dedicated to the transition.

“Finally, AXA does not confirm or deny the identity of its clients and does not comment on individual projects or claims handled by the Group.”