CLIMATE activist Greta Thunberg was arrested along with 20 other protesters outside a central London hotel today in an action to disrupt the Energy Intelligence Forum.

The InterContinental London hotel near Hyde Park was hosting the heads of major oil and gas companies at the event.

Fossil Free London, which organised the protest, hit out at the companies for deliberately slowing the global energy transition to renewables in order to make more profits.

The group highlighted how this year’s United Nations climate conference president is also the chief executive of an oil company.

Dozens of protesters blocked Hamilton Place at both ends with banners and pink umbrellas with eyes painted on, chanting: “Oily money out” and “Cancel the conference.”

Greenpeace activists abseiled down from the roof of the hotel to unfurl a banner reading: “Make big oil pay.”

Ms Thunberg, a 20-year-old Swedish activist, was led away by police officers and placed in the back of a marked van in the afternoon.

Earlier, six people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway. The Met Police said a total of 21 arrests had been made.

Ahead of her arrest, Ms Thunberg said: “It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models and yet they have done nothing.

“The opposite — they have actively delayed, distracted and denied the causes of the climate crisis and spread doubts about their own engagement in it.”

Greenpeace UK campaigner Maja Darlington said: “Oil bosses are toasting each other in a luxury hotel and plotting how to make even larger profits, while millions struggle to rebuild after a summer of extreme weather.

“Big oil is profiting from humanity’s loss and those who have done the least to cause climate change are being forced to pay the price.”

Fossil Free London director Robin Wells said: “Fossil fuel giants have known about the damage they were causing to the climate for decades, but they covered up the evidence and funded misinformation to prevent action and protect their profits.

“That’s why we’re targeting the biggest annual gathering of fossil fuel companies here in London.

“We need them and their oily money out of our politics and out of the climate negotiations at Cop28 next month.”

Speakers at the conference included Britain’s energy security and net zero minister Graham Stuart.