FAQs

1. About Us

What is your structure?

Extinction Rebellion has a decentralised structure – anyone can do things in the name of XR if they agree with and adhere to its Principles and Values. The movement is run by a Self Organising System.

What is a Self Organising System (SOS)?

A Self-Organising System (SOS) distributes decision-making throughout the movement. Teams are trusted with a mandate in specific areas — media communications, finance, promoting citizens’ assemblies, legal support, for example. They may take advice from others with expertise, or who are affected by their decisions, but the ultimate decision, within their mandate, is theirs. The SOS enables XR to adapt and evolve its teams to deal with changing circumstances.

Who founded Extinction Rebellion?

Extinction Rebellion began in the UK in October 2018 in response to a 2018 PCC report which stated we only have 12 years to stop catastrophic climate change. Founders including Roger Hallam, a researcher in civil disobedience, Dr Gail Bradbrook, a molecular biophysicist, and a group of fellow activists launched a Declaration of Rebellion against the UK Government due to its inaction on climate change.

How is Extinction Rebellion funded?

Extinction Rebellion raises money from crowdfunding, major donors, NGO’s, trusts and foundations, with the majority coming from online crowdfunding. We are clear and transparent about our sources of funding and also on how this is spent. Extinction Rebellion receives support from a company called Compassionate Revolution which processes donations and spends them to support the movement. Compassionate Revolution files accounts at Companies House.

How is Extinction Rebellion different from other climate organisations like Greenpeace?

Greenpeace is a large NGO with a business model that probably limits their willingness to mass mobilise people in civil disobedience. The civil disobedience they feel able to undertake is limited to small teams of people. We believe that mass civil disobedience is the only way we will see vital and inspiring change on the scale that is needed.

How bad is the Climate and Nature Emergency?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported in 2023: “There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all… The choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for thousands of years.”

What other climate, nature and social movements do you work with?

Extinction Rebellion joined with more than 200 other organisations for a major protest called The Big One in April 2023 which brought 100,000 people onto the streets surrounding Parliament in London. It worked with at least 300 different groups for Restore Nature Now which involved 100,000 people marching to Westminster in June 2024.

Who do you target with Nonviolent Direct Action?

Since 2023, actions have been focused on disrupting powerful organisations including national and local governments, political parties, fossil fuel companies, banks and financial institutions which fund climate chaos, insurers of new oil and gas projects, private jets, water companies and other major polluters, and Think Tanks which lobby for the fossil fuel industry.

What success has Extinction Rebellion had so far?

• In May 2019, the UK Parliament declared an Environment and Climate Emergency following pressure from XRUK, as part of our demand to Tell the Truth. Since then at least 40 countries and thousands of local authorities have followed suit. 
• In April 2023, 100,000 people filled the streets around the UK Parliament for The Big One protest calling for the government to take urgent action on the emergency. 
• Awareness of the Climate and Nature Emergency has grown dramatically, with 75% of UK adults now saying they worry about climate change. 
• The UK’s largest open cast coal mine, Ffos-y-Fran in Merthyr Tydfil, finally closed in November 2023, following a determined campaign by XR activists including our infamous pink boat blocking the site for 24 hours. 
• The Church of England announced its divestment from fossil fuels in June 2023, following dozens of creative actions over several years by Christian Climate Action and other XR activists.
• The Insure Our Future Week of Action in February 2023 led to major insurers Zurich and Probitas 1492 pulling out of fossil fuel expansion projects, including the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline.
• In June 2024, 100,000 people from more than 300 climate, nature and social justice organisations united together for the Restore Nature Now march calling for urgent action from the Government.

What is your policy on emergency vehicles?

Extinction Rebellion has a blue lights policy which means that protestors move to let emergency vehicles pass. There are frequent traffic jams due to all manner of things such as roadworks and accidents and  emergency services have strategies for coping with them.

What are your views on criminal damage?

Extinction Rebellion engages in peaceful civil disobedience to draw attention to the Climate and Nature Emergency. We remain strictly nonviolent. Some of our activists have been charged for criminal damage for using paint on windows (often chalk based) to highlight certain issues. We resorted to breaking windows in a couple of campaigns, this is called an “escalation strategy” and is necessary to create the drama to focus attention on an issue. We are super careful to do this safely and not put anyone at risk. We do not consider minor property damage to be violent since no person is hurt. The CPS gives Lawful Excuse to those who “intended to use or cause or permit the use of something to destroy or damage it, in order to protect property belonging to himself or another or a right or interest in property which was or which he believed to be vested in himself or another”.

2. Citizens Assembly

What is a Citizens Assembly?

A Citizens Assembly is a group of around 100 people which closely reflects an entire population in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, education level and geography. The people are randomly selected, like a jury, to discuss and make recommendations on a specific question or set of questions.  The Assembly hears balanced information from experts, stakeholders and people affected by the issue.. They discuss in small groups and the groups are rotated. Independent professional facilitators ensure all views are heard and assembly members make a decision together. More information about Citizens Assemblies is available here.

Why do we need one? What’s wrong with our existing politics?

The Government is unable to make the difficult and far reaching decisions needed. In the UK, our outdated political system was invented centuries ago. It’s failing to drive the changes we need now because of serious problems with the way it works.

Does it replace the Government?

No – it will help the government. The government will ask the citizens’ assembly to recommend how to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency, reach net zero and stop biodiversity loss.

Can I find out more?

For more information about Citizens Assemblies and how they will work visit here