Greenpeace protest at the Shard Six Greenpeace activists began climbing London's Shard on Thursday to protest against drilling by oil giant Shell in the Arctic. A Greenpeace spokesman said the climbers planned to unfurl an artwork if they reached the top of the 87-storey skyscraper, Western Europe's tallest building. A BBC reporter at the scene said the six women were climbing up the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and were using ropes. Making a point: Greenpeace demonstrators climb the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. Greenpeace says it targeted the building because it sits in the middle of Shell's three London headquarters. Shell says it has been operating in the Arctic since the early 20th century. "We respect the right of individuals and organisations to engage in a free and frank exchange of views about our operations," a company spokesman said. Recognising the right of individuals to express their point of view, we only ask that they do so with their safety and the safety of others, including Shell personnel and customers, in mind.