Insulate Britain protests

Insulate Britain is an environmental activist group, founded by six members{{cite web |last1=Elks |first1=Sonia |date=November 22, 2021 |title=Who Are Climate Group Insulate Britain and What Do They Want? |url=https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/who-are-insulate-britain-what-campaign-for-climate/#:~:text=Spokesperson%20Liam%20Norton%20said%20Insulate,action%20to%20combat%20climate%20change. |access-date=17 January 2022 |website=Global Citizen}} of the global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion. Their methods slightly differ from that of Extinction Rebellion, but they share the same overall target: to reduce the rate of climate change. The group began hosting both online and in-person events in July 2021, also raising money for direct action.{{Cite news|date=20 September 2021|title=Who are Insulate Britain, the group blocking M25 traffic, and what are they campaigning for?|work=ITV News|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-09-20/who-are-insulate-britain-the-group-blocking-the-m25-and-what-do-they-want|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920204509/https://www.itv.com/news/2021-09-20/who-are-insulate-britain-the-group-blocking-the-m25-and-what-do-they-want|url-status=live}} They use civil disobedience as a tactic.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/08/insulate-britain-members-block-m25-london-old-street-roundabout|title=TfL granted injunction against Insulate Britain protesters after arrests|work=The Guardian|last=Gayle|first=Damien|date=8 October 2021|accessdate=27 October 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/people/insulate-britain-protests-why-climate-change-groups-method-work-explained-experts-1250585|title=Insulate Britain protests: Why the climate change group's methods might work, explained by experts|work=i|last=Cope|first=Emily|date=15 October 2021|accessdate=27 October 2021}}

Founded with the aim of demanding insulation across the United Kingdom, the group laid out two specific demands for its September 2021 protests. The first is that the British government fund insulation of all social housing by 2025, and the second is that, by the end of 2021, the government must create a plan to fund retrofitting of insulation of all homes in Britain by 2030. Insulate Britain created a Parliament petition for the first demand. According to The Guardian, the group's demands are in line with consensus among climate scientists and policy experts that home insulation—including when retrofitted—is an environmental priority, saves money to occupants and is beneficial to the economy.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/low-hanging-fruit-insulate-britains-message-makes-sense-say-experts|title='Low-hanging fruit': Insulate Britain's message makes sense, say experts|work=The Guardian|last=Taylor|first=Matthew|date=24 September 2021|accessdate=25 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925015414/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/low-hanging-fruit-insulate-britains-message-makes-sense-say-experts|url-status=live}}

The protests began on 13 September 2021, when protesters sat in roads at five junctions (Junctions 3, 6, 14, 20 and 31) on the M25 motorway,{{Cite news|date=13 September 2021|title=M25 junctions blocked by Insulate Britain campaigners|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58543603|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918171511/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58543603|url-status=live}} followed by further protests on 15,{{Cite news|title=M25 protests: Activists block motorway again|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-58570577|url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916111249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-58570577|archive-date=16 September 2021}} 17,{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Matthew |date=17 September 2021 |title=Motorway blockades and green new deal crusaders: the UK's new climate activists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/17/motorway-blockades-and-green-deal-crusaders-the-uks-new-climate-activists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921233041/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/17/motorway-blockades-and-green-deal-crusaders-the-uks-new-climate-activists |archive-date=21 September 2021 |access-date=25 September 2021 |website=The Guardian}} 20,{{Cite news|date=20 September 2021|title=M25 protests: Arrests made as Insulate Britain activists block motorways|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58622088|url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923084901/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58622088|archive-date=23 September 2021}} 21{{Cite news|date=22 September 2021|title=Insulate Britain: Injunction granted against M25 protesters|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58649286|url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924112303/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58649286|archive-date=24 September 2021}} and 23{{cite AV media|title=Insulate Britain blocks the M25 motorway in both directions (J10) 21 September 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1D0kwk5FU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925135550/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1D0kwk5FU|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=25 September 2021|url-status=live}} September.

In an escalation of the protests, activists blocked the main carriageway of the M25 in both directions between junctions 9 and 10 on 21 September. Protesters walked out onto both sides of the motorway from junction 10. Thirty-eight protesters were arrested for various offenses, such as criminal damage, causing danger to road users, willful obstruction of the highway and causing a public nuisance.{{Cite news|date=21 September 2021|title=M25 protests: Protesters 'may cause serious injury or death'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-58636399|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922003705/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-58636399|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Francis|first=Alannah|date=21 September 2021|title=M25 protest: Insulate Britain activists dragged from motorway by police after running into oncoming traffic|work=i|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/m25-protest-insulate-britain-activists-step-into-traffic-motorway-demonstration-video-1209687|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921193849/https://inews.co.uk/news/m25-protest-insulate-britain-activists-step-into-traffic-motorway-demonstration-video-1209687|url-status=live}}

On 24 September, the group blockaded the Port of Dover. Several protesters were arrested.{{Cite news|date=20 September 2021|title=M25 protests: Arrests made as Insulate Britain activists block motorways|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58622088|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920092839/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58622088|url-status=live}}

On 29 September, protesters blocked the M25 again near junction 3. The protest started around 7:30am but by 8:53am the police had put out a tweet stating that the section of the M25 had been reopened.{{Cite news |last=Rawlinson |first=Kevin |date=29 September 2021 |title=Activists block M25 for seventh time despite threat of fines and prison |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/29/insulate-britain-activists-block-m25-by-glueing-themselves-to-road |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929143659/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/29/insulate-britain-activists-block-m25-by-glueing-themselves-to-road |archive-date=29 September 2021}} During the protests, activists glued themselves to the slip roads of targeted motorway exits or to live lanes of the motorway, making them inaccessible to vehicles. The protesters also poured paint onto sections of the carriageway.{{Cite news|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|date=20 September 2021|title=Climate protesters block access to M25 for fourth time in a week|work=Sky News|url=https://news.sky.com/story/climate-protesters-block-m25-for-fourth-time-in-two-weeks-12412724|access-date=20 September 2021|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920092614/https://news.sky.com/story/climate-protesters-block-m25-for-fourth-time-in-two-weeks-12412724|url-status=live}}

Further protests took place on 1 October with disruption to the M1 and M4 motorways. Thirty-nine protesters were arrested.{{Cite web |last=Gayle |first=Damien |date=1 October 2021 |title=39 Insulate Britain activists arrested after halting traffic on M1 and M4 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/01/insulate-britain-protesters-bring-traffic-to-halt-on-m1-and-m4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001210326/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/01/insulate-britain-protesters-bring-traffic-to-halt-on-m1-and-m4 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |access-date=1 October 2021 |website=The Guardian}}

On 4 October, Insulate Britain protesters blocked the Blackwall Tunnel, on the A102 which connects the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich in London. Thirty-eight protesters were arrested.{{Cite news|date=4 October 2021|title=Insulate Britain blocks Blackwall Tunnel|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-58787144|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004151610/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-58787144|url-status=live}} The group suspended its protests on 14 October, saying that Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the UK, had 11 days to make "a meaningful or trustworthy statement" or else the protests would resume.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58910278|title=Insulate Britain suspends road protests for 11 days|work=BBC News|date=14 October 2021|access-date=14 October 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/insulate-britain-pause-motorway-protest-b1938306.html|title=Insulate Britain pausing 'civil resistance' campaign until 25 October|work=Independent|last=Bancroft|first=Holly|date=14 October 2021|accessdate=14 October 2021}}

The protests resumed on 25 October, with 61 activists blocking roads at the London locations Upper Thames Street, Bishopsgate and Limehouse Causeway.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/insulate-britain-protesters-disrupt-three-london-sites-cwz5ssdml|title=Insulate Britain protesters disrupt three London sites|work=The Times|last=Reynolds|first=John|date=25 October 2021|access-date=25 October 2021|url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/insulate-britain-protest-today-liverpool-street-east-london-b962269.html|title=Insulate Britain: Protesters block major roads in east London|work=Evening Standard|last=Keane|first=Daniel|date=25 October 2021|accessdate=25 October 2021}}{{cite web |last=Gayle |first=Damien |date=25 October 2021 |title=Insulate Britain targets Canary Wharf in renewed roadblock campaign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/25/insulate-britain-targets-canary-wharf-roadblock-campaign-environmental-activists-london |accessdate=25 October 2021 |work=The Guardian}}

During morning rush hour of 2 November, the group blocked the M56 and A538 near Manchester Airport and the A4400 in Birmingham.{{Cite web |last=Bancroft |first=Holly |date=2021-11-02 |title=Insulate Britain target roads in Manchester, Birmingham and London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/insulate-britain-m25-closed-protest-b1949643.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

The group's last road protest to date took place on 4 November, when sixty-two protesters blocked roads around Parliament Square.{{Cite web |last=Stephens |first=Daisy |date=17 November 2021 |title=Two months of chaos: A timeline of Insulate Britain's disruptive protests |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/explained/insulate-britain-m25-protests-timeline/ |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=LBC |language=en}}

On 7 February 2022 the group self-declared "with a heavy heart" that the series of protests had failed in their aim to force the government into taking action.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=7 February 2022 |title=STATEMENT FROM INSULATE BRITAIN: WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE FAILED |url=https://insulatebritain.com/2022/02/07/statement-from-insulate-britain-we-must-acknowledge-we-have-failed/ |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=Insulate Britain |language=en-GB}}

Since November 2021 a number of those arrested have been sentenced to prison; including nine in November 2021 and five in February 2022.{{Cite web |last=Gayle |first=Damien |date=2 February 2022 |title=Five Insulate Britain members jailed for defying M25 protest injunctions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/02/five-insulate-britain-members-jailed-for-defying-m25-protest-injunctions |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} In March 2023, a further Insulate Britain protester was jailed for five weeks for causing a nuisance to the public.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64940392|title=Insulate Britain protester jailed for stopping traffic on M4|work=BBC News|date=13 March 2023|accessdate=13 March 2023}}

In response to actions by Insulate Britain and other groups such as Just Stop Oil the UK government has announced its aim to pass through a series of new measures to restrict the ability for groups to disrupt national infrastructure as a form of protest.{{Cite web |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |date=9 May 2022 |title=Boris Johnson to force through new anti-protest curbs in Queen's speech |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/09/boris-johnson-to-force-through-new-anti-protest-curbs-in-queens-speech |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

File:Insulate Britain burn police release letters outside the Home Office, London (22-9-2021).jpg

An injunction effective on 22 September 2021 and lasting to 21 March 2022 was granted to National Highways.{{Cite web|title=Policing Minister statement on Insulate Britain protests – Home Office in the media|url=https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/09/22/policing-minister-statement-on-insulate-britain-protests/|access-date=25 September 2021|website=homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923164953/https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/09/22/policing-minister-statement-on-insulate-britain-protests/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Syal|first1=Rajeev|last2=Mason|first2=Rowena|date=22 September 2021|title=Climate activists vow to continue M25 blockades despite jail threat|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/22/environmental-activists-face-prison-for-further-efforts-to-block-m25|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927093339/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/22/environmental-activists-face-prison-for-further-efforts-to-block-m25|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=22 September 2021|title=Injunction granted against protesters blocking M25, amid warning of prison sentence|work=Sky News|url=https://news.sky.com/story/injunction-granted-against-protesters-blocking-m25-amid-warning-of-prison-sentence-12414206|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922183346/https://news.sky.com/story/injunction-granted-against-protesters-blocking-m25-amid-warning-of-prison-sentence-12414206|url-status=live}} The injunction prohibited demonstrators from "causing damage to the surface of or to any apparatus on or around the M25 including but not limited to painting, damaging by fire, or affixing any item or structure thereto".{{Cite news|date=22 September 2021|title=Insulate Britain: Injunction granted against M25 protesters|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58649286|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927093303/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58649286|url-status=live}} Protesters who break the injunction will be in contempt of court, which could result in a prison sentence of up to two years or an unlimited fine.{{Cite news|last1=Dathan|first1=Matt|last2=Hamilton|first2=Fiona|last3=Ball|first3=Tom|date=22 September 2021|title=M25 Insulate Britain protesters face prison after court grants injunction|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/insulate-britain-activists-charge-past-police-to-block-m25-for-fifth-time-7zvjgfwrq|url-access=subscription|access-date=22 September 2021|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921095741/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/insulate-britain-activists-charge-past-police-to-block-m25-for-fifth-time-7zvjgfwrq|url-status=live}} However, Insulate Britain figures told The Guardian that they believed an injunction, prosecutions and other legal actions were being delayed by the government until after 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). A spokesperson said: "We know that our government and institutions purport that we live in a democracy, so they don't want to have 50–100 climate protesters on remand when [the conference] starts".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/12/insulate-britain-says-no-10-avoiding-having-protesters-in-prison-during-cop26|title=Insulate Britain says No 10 avoiding having protesters in prison during Cop26|work=The Guardian|last=Gayle|first=Damien|date=12 October 2021|accessdate=13 October 2021|archive-date=12 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012203452/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/12/insulate-britain-says-no-10-avoiding-having-protesters-in-prison-during-cop26|url-status=live}} On 17 November 2021, nine protesters were imprisoned: one for six months, six for four months and one for three months. Emma Smart, one of the protestors imprisoned, started a hunger strike after sentencing and was moved to the hospital wing of HMP Bronzefield on the 13th day of her strike.{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/11/29/from-hunger-strike-to-hospital-who-is-the-activist-fighting-for-britain-s-homes|title=Hunger Strike|work=Euronews|last=Limb|first=Lottie|date=29 November 2021|accessdate=30 November 2021}}

Figures within the British government, including the Home Secretary Priti Patel,{{Cite news|date=17 September 2021|title=M25 protests: Priti Patel calls activists 'selfish'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58594651|url-status=live|access-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917112847/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58594651|archive-date=17 September 2021}} Transport Secretary Grant Shapps{{Cite news|last=Holden|first=Michael|date=17 September 2021|title=UK government condemns climate activists as they block London motorway again|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-condemns-climate-activists-they-block-london-motorway-again-2021-09-17/|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918103553/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-condemns-climate-activists-they-block-london-motorway-again-2021-09-17/|url-status=live}} and Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the protesters' actions.{{Cite news|last1=Riley-Smith|first1=Ben|last2=Davies|first2=Gareth|date=20 September 2021|title=Insulate Britain: M25 protesters are undermining their cause, says Boris Johnson|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/09/20/insulate-britain-police-tackling-m25-protesters-delayed-traffic/|access-date=20 September 2021|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920171103/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/09/20/insulate-britain-police-tackling-m25-protesters-delayed-traffic/|url-status=live}} The protests are supported by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas,{{Cite news|last=Merrick|first=Rob|date=19 September 2021|title=Caroline Lucas backs climate protests that blocked M25 because of 'existential crisis'|work=Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/caroline-lucas-extinction-rebellion-m25-b1922822.html|access-date=21 September 2021|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920122435/https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/caroline-lucas-extinction-rebellion-m25-b1922822.html|url-status=live}} and House of Lords members Natalie Bennett{{cite AV media|title=On LBC talking to Nick Ferrari about Insulate Britain blocking M25|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4XxRFLH1aQ|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927093300/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4XxRFLH1aQ|url-status=live}} and Jenny Jones.{{cite AV media|title=Insulate Britain climate protests on M25 delayed my child's medication {{!}} Jeremy Vine On 5|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leKWyfz0qzQ|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927093301/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leKWyfz0qzQ|url-status=live}} On 4 October, Johnson said that Insulate Britain, who were not "legitimate protesters", were "irresponsible crusties".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/insulate-britain-irresponsible-crusties-boris-johnson-b1932538.html|title=Boris Johnson brands Insulate Britain 'irresponsible crusties' for blocking motorways|work=Independent|last=Giordano|first=Chiara|date=5 October 2021|accessdate=5 October 2021|archive-date=5 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005114356/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/insulate-britain-irresponsible-crusties-boris-johnson-b1932538.html|url-status=live}} At the 2021 Conservative Party Conference, Patel announced increased penalties for motorway disruptions, criminalisation of infrastructure disruption and "stop and search" powers for the police. Patel named Insulate Britain specifically in her announcement.{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/insulate-britain-tougher-punishments-against-motorway-protests-to-be-introduced-by-priti-patel-this-week-12425081|title=Insulate Britain: Tougher punishments against motorway protests to be introduced by Priti Patel this week|work=Sky News|last=Mehta|first=Amar|date=3 October 2021|accessdate=5 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004070424/https://news.sky.com/story/insulate-britain-tougher-punishments-against-motorway-protests-to-be-introduced-by-priti-patel-this-week-12425081|url-status=live}} The Guardian opposed this policy as it would "remove even more rights from political protesters".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/05/the-guardian-view-on-insulate-britain-the-art-of-protest|title=The Guardian view on Insulate Britain: the art of protest|work=The Guardian|date=5 October 2021|accessdate=5 October 2021|archive-date=5 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005193741/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/05/the-guardian-view-on-insulate-britain-the-art-of-protest|url-status=live}} In an interview, Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, stated he totally understood the frustration shown by the Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain protesters, but added that it should be directed "in a way that is more constructive rather than destructive", as their current methods are not "helpful" and only alienate people.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/prince-charles-extinction-rebellion-insulate-britain-b1936004.html|title=Prince Charles 'totally understands' anger of climate protesters but says blocking roads 'isn't helpful'|work=Independent|first=Eleanor|last=Sly|date=11 October 2021|accessdate=19 October 2021}}

Politics academics Oscar Berglund and Graeme Hayes supported the protests in The Conversation, agreeing with Insulate Britain's aims as "an essential part of lowering Britain's emissions". They quoted research that concluded that protesters who "inconvenience others" are more likely to achieve change, arguing that "broad popularity isn't all that relevant". Providing counterarguments against criticism, the writers said that motorway traffic and disruption that "hurts vulnerable people" is an everyday phenomenon, and that "it is unlikely that people will be against insulating homes just because they get annoyed at protesters".{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/insulate-britain-blocking-roads-will-alienate-some-people-but-its-still-likely-to-be-effective-168021|title=Insulate Britain: blocking roads will alienate some people – but it's still likely to be effective|work=The Conversation|last1=Berglund|first1=Oscar|last2=Hayes|first2=Graeme|date=20 September 2021|accessdate=25 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191105/https://theconversation.com/insulate-britain-blocking-roads-will-alienate-some-people-but-its-still-likely-to-be-effective-168021|url-status=live}}

Opinion polling conducted by YouGov from 5–6 October 2021 found that 72% of those surveyed opposed the protesters' actions, with 18% supporting the actions and 10% that did not know.{{Cite news|last=Conner|first=Jemma|date=8 October 2021|title=Three weeks into motorway climate change protests, public opposition has only grown|work=YouGov|url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2021/10/08/three-weeks-motorway-climate-change-protests-publi|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008112542/https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2021/10/08/three-weeks-motorway-climate-change-protests-publi|url-status=live}}

• Energy efficiency in British housing

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• Insulate Britain [https://www.insulatebritain.com/ website]

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