The Kingsnorth Six Trial

A United Kingdom trial court acquitted climate change activists of causing criminal damage at a coal-fired power station. Six Greenpeace activists attempted to shut down the Kingsnorth coal-fired power station in Kent by scaling the chimney and painting the Prime Minister’s name down the side. The defendants argued that by shutting down the coal plant for a day, they prevented greater damage to even more valuable property. The jury’s verdict was the first instance in which prevention of property damage resulting from the impacts of climate change was used as a lawful excuse in court.