Climate march to be held during COP27 in Edinburgh on Global Day of Action

Climate activists will come together in Edinburgh as part of a Global Day of Action while delegates gather in Egypt for COP27.

On Saturday, November 12, a march starting at St Andrew Square in the Scottish capital at noon will coincide with over 20 UK events and scores more around the world.

The march will be organised by a host of climate activism groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Extinction Rebellion Scotland, the Climate Justice Coalition and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.

Campaigners say they will highlight how solutions to the climate crisis such as insulating our homes and investing in affordable renewable energy are essential to tackling the cost of living crisis.

The UN Climate conference will take place from November 6 until November 18.

In Egypt, where climate talks are taking place, there will be no mass mobilisation on the global day of action due to laws preventing activists from protesting.

Activists say that since COP26 ended in Glasgow last year, people have felt the devastating impact of extreme climate change including floods in Pakistan that displaced tens of millions, deadly heat waves across Europe and famine in east Africa.

They added that the global crisis is being driven by the burning of fossil fuels.

The UK Government has been criticised for opening new oil and gas fields, attempts to lift a ban on fracking in England, and offering licences for companies to explore for even more fossil fuels.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said: “The climate crisis demands action on a global scale. Governments and corporations are adding fuel to the fire by going after more fossil fuels and fantasy techno-fixes that will only serve to delay action and line the pockets of the rich.

“We are marching to demand real solutions that will halt climate breakdown and improve ordinary peoples’ lives – an end to fossil fuels and a just transition to safe, affordable renewables.

“We see the suffering of climate impacted people around the world and we stand in solidarity with them and in particular with the people of Egypt who are being denied their human rights by a brutal regime.”

Joan Forehand, from Extinction Rebellion Scotland, commented: “None of us are going to be insulated from the climate crisis but there is terrible injustice and unfairness to this catastrophe.

“The wealthy have caused the most emissions, yet it is the poorest of humanity who are going to suffer disproportionately. Their natural resources have been extracted to create wealth for others. They are losing their homes, their futures and their lands and they don’t have the resources to protect themselves or rebuild their lives.

“It’s only fair that loss and damage payments are given to those who will suffer the most from this crisis, through no fault of their own. Without the justice of loss and damage, efforts to avoid ever worsening climate breakdown will stall and everyone will suffer.”