Brokers and insurers attending the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) Conference in Manchester were faced with demonstrators decrying the industry’s role in fossil fuel projects, weapons manufacturing, and alleged human rights abusees .

Then protest was organised by Extinction Rebellion Manchester, and campaigners said the protest aims to challenge what they describe as the insurance sector’s role in enabling environmentally and socially destructive industries. Organisers added they are also calling on insurance brokers attending the conference to challenge insurers over their underwriting policies and investment decisions.

The visual theme of the protest centred on fire and mortality, with activists displaying flame-shaped placards carrying their “burning questions” for insurers, alongside a grim reaper figure intended to symbolise what campaigners describe as the deadly consequences of climate breakdown, war and human rights abuses linked to industries insured by major firms attending the conference.

An Extinction Rebellion Manchester spokesperson said: “Insurance companies help make destructive industries possible. Without insurance, new fossil fuel projects cannot go ahead, pipelines are not built, and weapons manufacturers cannot operate.

“BIBA’s conference theme this year is ‘TIME: To Address the Burning Questions’. We agree. It is time to ask why insurers continue to profit from industries linked to climate destruction, war, and human suffering.

“We are calling on the public, brokers, and insurance workers themselves to join us outside the conference and demand change. We want a liveable future for everyone, not huge profits for a few.”

They added: “The action is being staged as the conference opens under the theme: ‘TIME: To Address the Burning Questions.’ Protesters’ ‘burning questions’ to insurers who sponsor or attend the event include:

“AVIVA, time to stop enabling migrant abuse? Aviva is among insurers underwriting or investing in UK detention, accommodation, and surveillance contractors, including Serco and G4S, accused of human rights abuses.

“CHUBB, time to stop insuring climate chaos? Chubb recorded $745 million in fossil-fuel Gross Direct Premiums Written (GDPW) in 2024, making it the world’s third-largest fossil-fuel underwriter by that measure. Insure Our Future has also given Chubb low scores for its underwriting policies for fossil fuels.

“AXA, time to drop climate wreckers? AXA recorded $595 million in fossil-fuel GDPW in 2024, ranking seventh globally for fossil-fuel underwriting, and also insures the Cameron LNG terminal in Louisiana. Insure Our Future has likewise criticised AXA’s oil and gas underwriting policies.”

Delegates were met with tight security with photo ID and specific Biba registration documentation required to enter the areas around the conference.