Richard Madeley challenges Chris Packham over Just Stop Oil protests

Watch: Richard Madeley talks to Chris Packham about the Just Stop Oil protests

Richard Madeley has accused Just Stop Oil of "preaching to the converted" as he challenged Chris Packham over the question of whether climate change protests were being targeted at the wrong people.

The Springwatch presenter — who has previously taken part in Extinction Rebellion protests — appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss a new Channel 4 documentary he is making about the Just Stop Oil organisation.

Madeley, 67, asked Packham: "Are these protests aimed at the right target, Chris? Because, in this country, we’ve pretty much eliminated coal fired energy from our energy supply mix, we’re investing squillions in wind power – if Labour win the next election, they’re gonna be spending even more on wind farms.

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"Our CO2 emissions, by general agreement, are now per capita at the lowest in the UK since the mid-1850s.

"But China, is burning more and more coal and next year, China will burn more coal to produce power than every other country in the world put together."

"Why isn’t Just Stop Oil, instead of in a sense preaching to the converted, because we get it, why aren’t they demonstrating outside the Chinese embassy?."

The wildlife presenter replied: "Two points there. Firstly, I think you’re wrong, with respect, about the achievements we’re seeing in the UK. The climate change committee has said we’re not meeting any of our targets.

"We’re talking about opening a new coal mine in Cumbria and we’re still granting licences to explore for more oil and gas.’

"Second point, valid question: Are they targeting the right people? And that’s a question that I’m asking them for a forthcoming documentary that I’m making for Channel 4.

"If the tactics aren’t working, do we need to change the tactics?"

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Just Stop Oil as most recently interrupted the BBC's First Night of the Proms and Channel 4's The Last Leg as part of their ongoing campaign for government action on climate change.

The organisation said their supporters "set off confetti cannons and sounded air horns, demanding the UK government immediately halt all new oil and gas consents and licences. They attempted to address the audience before being forcibly removed".

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