Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion staged a protest at the Brussels offices of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) on Monday morning, blocking access to the building.
Demonstration began at around 08:30, when activists transformed the entrance into a makeshift theatre to illustrate what they describe as the lobbying activities taking place behind closed doors.
The installation featured images of forest fires and included a symbolic rebranding of the organisation as the "Inferno of Oil and Gas Producers".
According to Extinction Rebellion, the aim of the action was to prevent employees from entering the building while drawing attention to the influence of the fossil fuel industry in policymaking. The group argues that the IOGP represents the interests of major energy companies, including TotalEnergies, BP and Shell.
Activists claim these companies have benefited from rising energy prices linked to conflict in the Middle East while continuing to oppose measures to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources.
According to figures cited by the campaigners, oil and gas producers generated more than $30 million (€26 million) in profits per hour during the first month of the conflict.
"First they make enormous profits from our expensive energy bills," activist Sacha said in a statement.
"Then they use that money for aggressive lobbying campaigns aimed at governments to prevent those profits from being taxed, ensuring the money ends up in the hands of the super-rich."
The activist argued that such revenues could instead be used to support households struggling with energy costs or to finance investments in affordable clean energy.
The protest forms part of Extinction Rebellion Brussels' broader campaign calling for a ban on fossil fuel lobbying, similar to restrictions imposed on tobacco industry lobbying.
