Target identification
Example of compromised societal actors: The Science Museum in London has been receiving sponsorship from three major fossil fuel companies BP, Shell and Equinor since the early 2000s, and in 2021 signed a new sponsorship deal with Indian coal conglomerate Adani.

Disruptive action mechanism
In 2019, scientists launched a campaign alongside other partners that included publishing a book that was sent to trustees. The scientists' campaign involved a series of NVDA actions over the years, including locking themselves to exhibits, disrupting events and staging several overnight occupations, with vocal support from public figures such as Chris Packham.

Disruptive action pathway
Each action was covered by the media, bringing greater awareness among visitors and event participants. In late 2021, two trustees resigned from the board. Over the years, participants pulled out of events, forcing the museum in one instance to cancel an event at the last minute.

Disruptive action Outcome
Although it can be difficult to attribute any outcome to a specific action, the scientists’ active campaign contributed to several beneficial outcomes:

• Policy change
  The Science Museum Group announced its adoption of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) in November 2020, positioning itself as the first cultural institution to use the tool to assess sponsors' progress toward a low-carbon economy. The museum initially set a threshold of Level 3 on the index for sponsors, a standard that unfortunately allowed ongoing partnerships with companies like Shell, BP, and Equinor. However, in 2022, the museum updated its criteria to require Level 4 on the index and alignment with the Paris 1.5°C target by 2024.
• Sponsor drop
  In 2024, the Science Museum dropped Equinor as sponsor after it failed to meet the museum's new criteria.
• Structural change
  The Science Museum Group established a new "partnership panel" to review potential donors in 2023. This change came after Director Ian Blatchford had previously held sole decision-making power over sponsorships.

Target identification
Example of harmful policy: expansion of North Sea oil and gas. Action was targeted at an important political moment and focussed on a specific and harmful policy proposal. In early 2022, the UK government published a new energy strategy promising to continue the exploitation and expansion of North Sea oil and gas. This was despite clear warnings from scientists that this would breach the conditions required to limit dangerous climate change, as well as undermining international cooperation on climate action.

Disruptive action mechanism
In April 2022, scientists pasted peer-reviewed papers and quotes from experts onto the windows of the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). These papers and quotes highlighted the contradiction between scientific analysis affirming the need to cease fossil fuel expansion, with the new policy position that had been announced. Having pasted these materials onto the windows of BEIS, the group of scientists then glued their hands to the glass to highlight the climate science the government was ignoring.

Disruptive action pathway

Widespread press coverage of the action, including the front page of The Guardian, brought direct attention from senior policymakers and politicians. Subsequent court cases and acquittals attracted further support from the wider scientific community and generated additional media coverage of the issues.

Disruptive action Outcome
This action was just one among many forms of pressure applied to the government in order to counter pressure from vested interests; as such we can never know the exact degree of influence this particular action had. However, the government elected in 2024 subsequently adopted a position of refusing new licences which it maintained after taking office - a world-first and important win for climate activists.