CLIMATE change protesters have interrupted a net zero conference to demand an end to huge government subsidies to Britain’s largest carbon emitter, Drax.

Four climate resistance activists were dragged out by security after challenging energy security and net zero committee chairman Bill Esterson MP at the New Statesman Politics Live conference on Wednesday.

Drax’s owners have been paid more than £7 billion since 2012 in public subsidies after government accepted their claims that their tree-burning power station in North Yorkshire is “carbon neutral” — as the felled trees absorb as much carbon as they release when their wood pellets are burned.

Hundreds of experts have disputed this saying that replacing mature trees with saplings would create a “carbon debt” that will last decades.

The company sponsored events at the annual Labour conference and last year made a donation of £12,000 to the party.

Stop Polluting Politics spokesman Sam Simons said: “Its pernicious lobbying and donations to Labour show a desperate attempt to keep the harmful, unsustainable business model going at the expense of everyone else.”

Drax has been contacted for comment.