CLIMATE activists cut fibre-optic cables at sites across Britain today to demand that insurance firms stop supporting fossil fuel companies.

The action, staged by underground climate group Shut the System, targeted some of the world’s largest fossil fuel insurers.

Among them were more than 400 agents at Lloyd’s of London, WR Berkley, Chubb and insurers such as Ascot and Tokio Marine in the world-famous “Walkie Talkie” building.

AIG offices in Birmingham and London, AXA in Leeds, and Markel in Sheffield were also targeted. 

The activists are calling on insurance companies to end all underwriting for fossil fuel expansion and for them to demand robust transition plans from fossil fuel clients.

A Shut The System activist said: “If these powerful companies don’t make public statements that they will stop driving fossil fuel expansion and destroying life on Earth, then we have no choice but to stop them ourselves. 

“We will not give up until insurance companies take responsible action.”

The group said that activists cut the cables disguised as electrical engineers.

Firms contacted for comment have so far neither confirmed or denied that their wi-fi was taken down.

The action follows the announcement that global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C critical threshold for global warming for the first time last year. 

Insurers have faced increasing pressure from climate activists. Extinction Rebellion has led the “Insure our Survival” campaign, which has targeted firms with numerous sit-ins and protests.

In one success, insurer Probitas agreed never to insure two “carbon bomb” projects, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and the proposed West Cumbria coalmine.