Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for increased taxation on oil and gas companies' profits to fund climate mitigation efforts in the United Kingdom, particularly in response to the country’s recent extreme weather events. Speaking at a press conference, Polanski argued that the substantial earnings these companies have made amid geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Iran, should be directed toward wildfire prevention and broader climate adaptation measures.

Polanski questioned whether fossil fuel companies should continue to generate profits amid ongoing climate-related disasters and advocated for a conversation about redirecting those excess profits into public safety and environmental resilience. The Green Party’s 2024 manifesto proposes raising windfall taxes on oil and gas firms and introducing a carbon tax on all fossil fuels, regardless of whether they are extracted domestically or imported.

Recent financial reports from major energy companies illustrate why the Greens are pushing for such measures. Both Shell and BP posted their highest quarterly profits in four years, driven in part by surging oil and gas prices connected to instability in the Middle East. When asked about potential new windfall taxes, Shell Chief Executive Wael Sawan told CNBC that policies should be predictable and stable over the long term, to provide clarity for investors despite market fluctuations. BP’s new CEO, Meg O’Neill, echoed concerns about dependency on fossil fuels in the UK, supporting increased exploration and drilling in the North Sea.

Polanski’s remarks come against the backdrop of a record-breaking summer marked by severe drought and widespread wildfires across Britain. July set records as the driest and sunniest month recorded in England and Wales, with temperatures exceeding 35°C on several occasions. Health services were stretched thin during heatwaves in May and June, which were linked to nearly 2,900 excess deaths. These conditions led to hospitals declaring critical incidents, and closures of schools and businesses due to inadequate cooling infrastructure.

In addition to taxing fossil fuel profits, Polanski urged the incoming Labour government to provide financial assistance to households to improve home insulation and cooling capacity. He also reiterated his party’s proposal to bring water companies under public ownership, citing their failure to safeguard water supplies or invest adequately in new reservoirs amid a drought affecting half of England and all of Wales. Widespread hosepipe bans remain in effect as water shortages persist.

Polanski stressed the urgency of addressing climate risks, warning that future heatwaves could be even more extreme. “People have died and we know that more heatwaves will come,” he said. He expressed hope that the current crisis could prompt a broader national conversation on climate priorities.

In addition to climate issues, Polanski reflected on the Green Party’s political influence, claiming credit for contributing to the recent leadership challenges within the Labour Party after the Greens won two key by-elections. Despite this, the Greens’ support has declined since Polanski assumed leadership in September 2025, with recent polls placing the party’s popularity at 11 percent. Labour, now at 25.7 percent, has surpassed Reform UK for the first time in over a year.

Polanski criticized Labour leader Wes Burnham’s initial policy announcements as lacking substance, particularly in relation to the cost of living and public services. He also voiced opposition to Burnham’s openness to oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, his decision to reappoint Shabana Mahmood as home secretary, and the exclusion of former energy secretary Ed Miliband from the chancellor post.