Extinction Rebellion march through Edinburgh in COP26 protest

Extinction Rebellion activists marched through Edinburgh in solidarity with protests taking place across the world during the COP26 climate summit.

The demonstrators walked from George IV Bridge, Bank Street, North Bank Street, Market Street, Jeffrey Street and Canongate to reach the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood at about 1pm.

A rally was then held, with short speeches by representatives from charities and action groups addressing issues contributing to the climate crisis.

Participant Mike Grant, 61, from Rosewell, Midlothian, said: “I am marching today to make clear to those gathering for Cop26 that the people demand far bolder and far faster action now.

“Every fraction of a degree avoided is a life, a town, a species saved somewhere in the world.

“Our children’s children deserve nothing less from a generation that did so much to cause the problem.”

Another activist from Edinburgh who works in social care said: “I’m an ordinary person and have never thought of myself as an activist, but this will take every one of us, on the streets, demanding that our governments treat this like the emergency it is.

“If you have children, if you know children, the future looks terrifying, but the worst can be averted if our leaders act decisively now.”

Thousands of activists have also gathered at the summit in Glasgow this weekend to make their concerns known to the world leaders around the negotiating table.

Up to 30,000 people will descend on Scotland’s largest city from Sunday until November 14 for the crucial climate change talks.