Heathrow Camp for Climate Action
London (UK), 2007

“We are armed…only with peer-reviewed science.”

In August 2007, climate activists set up an action camp near Heathrow Airport to protest its planned expansion. The camp brought together a wide range of groups, staging both large and small actions to raise awareness about the aviation industry’s impact on climate change. A dramatic media presence and high-profile injunctions against the protesters turned the camp into an internationally recognised event.

Timing

  • The camp took place over the August Bank Holiday in 2007, strategically timed to coincide with the holiday weekend, which allowed more people to take part. The timing also prevented the Metropolitan Police from deploying their full force, as they were busy with the Notting Hill Carnival during that weekend.
  • This second ever climate camp followed on the heels of rising global concern about climate change, but aviation was still not widely discussed as a key contributor to this crisis. Heathrow’s expansion plans provided a focal point for protest.
  • The decision to target Heathrow was influenced by a late consensus vote, although many original organisers preferred targeting a new nationwide LNG gas pipeline, in Wales. Despite the internal disagreements, the Heathrow action ended up gaining global attention and turned out to be right time right place.

Location

  • The camp was set up on common land near Heathrow’s northern perimeter. It was a challenging location, with high grass and uneven terrain, and as it turned out, the site was coincidentally above a BP aviation fuel pipeline.
  • The main action targeted the British Airports Authority (BAA) headquarters near the airport. Many additional smaller actions were directed at related industries and businesses in London, including carbon offsetting companies and government agencies connected to aviation.

Type of Action

  • The camp involved a week of workshops, training, and small affinity group actions before culminating in a large Day of Action on Saturday. The activists staged a family-friendly march as a decoy tactic, which police heavily monitored, allowing other groups to target the BAA offices.
  • The group employed the five-finger method (a tactic developed from the German anti-nuclear movement), which involved splitting up into smaller groups to penetrate police lines more effectively.
  • Activists carried wooden shields and placards with faces of people from all over the globe and a banner reading “We are armed…only with peer-reviewed science.” This symbolic messaging cut through the media narrative that had painted them as dangerous and violent.

Insights

  • The decision to choose Heathrow as the target was ultimately successful in raising the profile of aviation as a climate issue, even though some of the original organisers were sceptical.
  • The camp attracted a massive turnout—an estimated 4000 people at its peak, far exceeding expectations and infrastructure. Event the kit form compost toilets were overwhelmed.
  • The visual and symbolic elements of the protest, such as the shields and banners, resonated with the public and helped to shift the media focus from portraying the activists as extremists to recognising their commitment to climate science.
  • The action planning involved substantial training and preparation at the camp after a year long process of monthly meetings, including workshops on police line tactics and quick consensus decision-making, which helped maintain cohesion during the actions.

Obstacles

  • Organiser capacity was stretched thin, particularly as the camp attracted far more participants than anticipated. Basic logistics, such as food preparation & distribution and sanitation, became difficult to manage with the increased numbers.
  • The media working group spiralled out of control, expanding from a small group of experienced activists to a list including over 100 people, many of whom were unfamiliar with the core messages. This resulted in a loss of control over the narrative, with external actors like Greenpeace UK introducing messaging (e.g., promoting high-speed rail) that had not been agreed upon by the organisers.

Strengths

  • The camp was well-prepared in terms of infrastructure, with kit compost toilets, kitchens, and well-organised regional neighbourhoods that each managed their own food and resources. Training sessions in affinity group tactics and media handling were provided in a massive marquee, which allowed for group cohesion despite police surveillance and infiltration.
  • The turnout and worldwide media attention far surpassed expectations, giving the link between aviation and climate significant public visibility. Despite the police’s heavy presence and the violent suppression of some protests, the camp successfully held its ground even during pepper spray attacks.
  • The camp proved a vital organising space and a day of action against Royal Bank of Scotland was organised for later that year.
  • Agitprop and info formulated and worked on for the Heathrow Camp and future planning was gathered and posted at the Network for Climate Action website.

Lessons learned

  • Media messaging control is difficult but crucial. The messaging should be kept simple, with a small, trusted team handling communications, despite personal attacks in some press. The Heathrow camp’s media strategy was overwhelmed by external voices, diluting the intended message.
  • Having multiple fallback plans for actions is essential. Rising Tide, one of the core groups involved in the camp, was known for its detailed contingency planning, which proved vital when unexpected situations arose.
  • Clear logistical planning for large camps is critical, particularly for essential services like food and sanitation. The organisers learned the importance of preparing for larger-than-expected crowds, although of course this meant more expenditure.