Climate activists target Axa with fake adverts

Activists have targeted Axa with a coordinated spoof advertising campaign across seven cities, accusing the insurer of backing fossil fuel expansion while promoting its environmental credentials.

Advertising displays in London, New York, Barcelona, Nice, Bayonne, Rennes and Grenoble were taken over as part of an international action focused on Axa’s alleged involvement in insuring new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in South East Asia.

Campaigners claim the insurer is “greenwashing” its support for fossil fuel projects. The adverts feature the slogan: “We insure the ocean’s destruction while claiming to protect it.”

The campaign centres on the Coral Triangle, a marine region spanning South East Asia that activists say is under threat from planned fossil gas developments.

Andrew Taylor, from Boycott Bloody Insurance, said insurers had a key role to play in limiting future fossil fuel expansion.

“At a time when climate disasters are dramatically increasing in frequency, it is utterly incomprehensible that a major insurer such as Axa should continue to support fossil fuels,” he said.

Campaign targets LNG projects

Campaigners said new LNG import terminals are planned across the Coral Triangle region despite opposition from local communities and civil society groups.

According to the campaign, the Coral Triangle is home to 76% of the world’s coral species, critical tuna spawning grounds and extensive mangrove ecosystems, while supporting the livelihoods of more than 360 million people.

The adverts were created by Filipino artist AG Sano and translated into seven languages.

The campaign, which also involved the Artivist Network and ANV-COP21, aims to persuade insurers and reinsurers to withdraw support for fossil fuel developments. Activists argue insurance cover is essential for such projects to proceed.

Juliette Caroulle, a campaigner with ANV-COP21, said: “By choosing to end all support for fossil fuels, Axa would send a decisive signal to the insurance industry to finally move away from fossil fuels, which are destroying our future.”

The campaigners’ claims regarding the insurer’s involvement in specific LNG projects were not independently verified.