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Amazon said it took its environmental responsibilities seriously after Extinction Rebellion (XR) targeted 13 of its fulfilment centres across the UK on Black Friday and attempted to block entrances.

The group said it was using bamboo structures, lock-ons and banners with the words: “Amazon Crime” and “Infinite Growth, Finite Planet”, as well as a full-sized, makeshift rocket in Tilbury, in order to protest against the retail giant’s business practices.

The depots targeted include Doncaster, Milton Keynes, Dunfermline, Manchester and Newcastle.

The group said it intended to remain for at least 48 hours.

Quoting “Chris”, a former Amazon employee from Newcastle, XR said: “With new warehouses popping up every month, taking action against Amazon has become an absolute necessity.

“We can no longer live under a system that pushes deadly infinite growth at a time of crisis, manipulating consumers, exploiting workers and destroying the planet.”

Protestor Clarissa Carlyon said: “I have joined this action because we must address the toxic consumerism that is driving the ecological crisis, and trapping us in business as usual.

“If we don’t talk about what consumerism is doing to our planet and our society then we will not address the planetary emergency that’s happening now.

“Amazon is a prime example of the wider issues we face. It exploits people who work for it, forcing them into unstable working conditions.”

However, Amazon said it had a commitment to be net zero by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

“We know there is always more to do and we’ll continue to invent and invest on behalf of our employees, customers, small businesses and communities in the UK,” said an Amazon spokeswoman.

“We’re proud to have invested £32bn in the UK since 2010, creating 10,000 new permanent jobs across the country this year alone, and generating a total UK tax contribution of £1.55bn in 2020.”

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