Stricter legal measures and the criminalisation of climate demonstrations in the United Kingdom are failing to deter activists, instead bolstering their resolve to engage in disruptive acts, according to a recent study.
The research, which surveyed 1,375 members of the Extinction Rebellion network, suggests that penalities such as fines and lengthy custodial sentences for non-violent actions – like road blockades or property damage – may lead to the radicalisation of participants. Experts warned that such repression could be a catalyst for covert tactics, including the recent severing of internet infrastructure.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, reveal that campaigners who have previously faced arrest, surveillance, or imprisonment report a diminished fear of future legal consequences.
Among those yet to experience such measures, the study identified two distinct emotional responses: while fear reduced the intent to protest, feelings of anger or contempt served to strengthen it.
Dr Nicole Tausch of the University of St Andrews, a member of the research team, observed that these government actions alienate citizens from the state. She noted that when individuals feel contempt, they often no longer feel obligated to follow established norms.
“If you don’t give people the legitimate route to express their discontent, then they will find other routes,” Dr Tausch stated, adding that repression often fosters a “shared identity” and a “moral obligation to act”.
The UK’s approach has drawn international scrutiny. Mary Lawlor, the UN special rapporteur for human rights defenders, recently criticised the UK and other nations for “paying lip service” to environmental targets while simultaneously prosecuting activists.
Data shows that between 2019 and 2024, 17 percent of UK climate protests resulted in arrests, significantly higher than the global average of 6.3 percent.
Sunniva Davies-Rommetveit, also from the University of St Andrews, suggested that current policies may be pushing activists towards sabotage and other covert operations. She noted a clear sense of “frustration with the way the system is dealing with protest”.
In response, a Home Office spokesperson maintained that while the right to lawful protest is a democratic pillar, it must not transition into “serious disruption”. The spokesperson asserted that current laws provide police with necessary powers to manage disorder while still protecting the right to peaceful assembly.
Public opinion on the matter appears divided. A 2023 University of Bristol poll found that while 68 per cent of the British public disapproved of the group Just Stop Oil, only 29 percent believed that imprisonment was a suitable punishment for non-violent disruption. Approximately 37 percent favoured fines, while 15 per cent believed no punishment was necessary.
The government has since initiated an independent review of public order legislation to ensure it maintains a “fair balance” between protest rights and community safety.
