PROTESTERS occupied the foyer of the Gherkin in London today, demanding that insurance giant Swiss Re rule out covering liquefied natural gas projects in the Coral Triangle.

Chanting “Swiss Re, you can’t hide, don’t insure this ecocide,” campaigners attempted to deliver a letter to the reinsurance company but were refused entry.

Security guards reportedly manhandled protesters, including dragging a scientist to the revolving door where he lay blocking the entrance.

Police were called, but no arrests were made.

Lily, 17, a student from Generation 1.5 youth climate justice action group, who only shared her first name, said: “Our futures depend on scaling down fossil fuels, not more expansion, and biodiverse regions like the Coral Triangle have to be protected.

“Insurers have the power to stop extractive and destructive projects like this by withdrawing support.”

The Coral Triangle is home to 76 per cent of the world’s coral species and supports more than 360 million people’s livelihoods.

Fossil fuel expansion there would increase the risk of oil spills and pollution, devastating coral reef ecosystems critical to global food security, campaigners say.

Swiss Re was approached for comment.