Energy giant BP has come under pressure from an environmental group to move away from oil and consider cleaner energy options.

Greenpeace activists have today (July 27th) shut down all 50 BP petrol stations in central London, calling for the company to live up to its name and move beyond petroleum.

The action comes as the company has announced second quarter losses of around $17 billion (£11 billion), following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tony Hayward, chief executive of BP, also revealed today that he would leave his post by mutual agreement in October, to be replaced by Bob Dudley.

Kumi Naidoo, executive director of Greenpeace International, urged the company to use this as a chance to change its tactics.

"A change in leadership is a key opportunity for BP to cut its losses in more ways than one, by turning away from high-cost and environmentally reckless sources of oil, deepwater drilling and Canadian tar sands, towards an energy revolution based on clean energy sources," said Mr Naidoo.

Posted by Mark Stephens

Sign up for regular email updates to help you save money and energy

For more information please see:

Greenpeace