PROTESTS took place across Britain on Saturday as part of a global day of action for climate justice as world leaders continue their debates at the Cop27 climate conference at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.

Calls for reparations for southern-hemisphere countries worst affected by climate change caused mainly by Western industrialised nations have so far been unsuccessful.

About 40 demonstrations took place in Britain, including a march by thousands of protesters through the streets of the Scottish capital Edinburgh.

Along the march route, protesters paused at the premises of organisations they say are driving climate breakdown, such as banks.

Friends of the Earth Scotland is demanding action on warmer homes, better public transport and a speedy transition away from oil and gas which the campaigners say will help address the cost-of-living crisis as well as cut climate pollution.

Head of campaigns Mary Church said: “As world leaders gather once again to negotiate the future of humanity, thousands of people are marching to demand solutions to the climate crisis that put people and the planet first.

“The solutions to climate change are within grasp and only require the political will to deliver them urgently.

“Governments need to stop prioritising the demands of big polluters and start listening to the people instead.

“Putting an end date on oil and gas well within the decade with a just transition to reliable, affordable renewables will help tackle the cost-of-living crisis as well as slashing emissions.”

Ms Church said the campaigners “stand in solidarity with those already experiencing the impacts of climate breakdown” and also with people denied their human rights, including Anglo-Egyptian rights campaigner Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who is on hunger strike in an Egyptian prison.

In Blackpool an estimated 3,000 people marched, including trade union members and NHS, anti-austerity and climate campaigners, who rallied in St John’s Square to hear speeches.

Local climate campaigners in Lancashire and north-west England are facing a renewed battle as the government reconsiders its ban on fracking in the region. Fracking at a site in New Preston Road near Blackpool caused earthquakes in the area before the practice was banned.