CLIMATE activists sprayed paint on buildings across England today in a nationwide action to call for insurance companies to “insure life, not lethal fossil fuels.”

Money Rebellion used fire extinguishers to spray blood-red paint over the buildings of Ascot, Markel, Allied World, CNA Hardy, Tokio Marine Kiln, Lancashire Holdings, AXA, Hiscox and Travelers –including The Walkie Talkie commercial skyscraper in London.

The actions in the capital, Reading, Leeds, Leicester and Colchester called for the companies to rule out insuring the proposed West Cumbria coal mine and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Campaigners say this would prevent the projects from going ahead.

The coal mine proposed near the Lake District National Park would be Britain’s first new underground coal mine in 30 years and would emit 8.4 million tonnes of CO2 every year, according to calculations.

Activists say that while the government claims it will support domestic energy security, the vast majority of the coal would be exported.

Estimates show that EACOP would produce more than 379 million tonnes of CO2.

More than 100,000 Ugandan people have been displaced in preparation for construction, causing widespread poverty and hunger, according to Human Rights Watch.