MORE than 20,000 young people, trade unionists and campaigners from across the world united in protest today as the first week of Cop26 talks in Glasgow came to an end. 

High-profile environmental voices, including Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate, joined local striking workers as a march travelled through the city before a rally at George Square. 

Led by members of the Fridays for Future movement, the event took place as politicians at the UN climate summit heard the importance of youth empowerment amid claims of exclusion from the talks and greenwashing. 

The march stretched out of sight, as the tens of thousands of participants passed through Glasgow’s West End, into the city centre and down towards the square. 

Among the crowds was a band of drummers, thousands of placards demanding the end of capitalism and a just future, as well as political and trade union banners.

Host Dylan Hamilton reminded world leaders that vulnerable communities were already seeing deaths and the significant effects of climate change. 

Ms Thunberg said it was time to wake up, accusing world leaders of empty promises and “greenwashing.”

She told the rally: “The Cop has turned into a PR event where leaders are giving beautiful speeches. This is no longer a climate conference. It is a global North greenwashing festival.

“The voices of future generations are drowning in their greenwash and empty voices.

“We will have to fundamentally change our society. This is the result of our leaders’ repeated failure to address this crisis.”

The march took place despite government attempts to warn youngsters against skipping school to attend the march, describing the strikes as “extremely disruptive.”

But school strikers, including those from the global South, hit back at criticism of the marchers’ tactics. 

Ugandan climate activist Evelyn Acham said: “We are not responsible as people from Africa. Our voices are left behind. We are not on the front pages.

“Children are dropping out of school because schools are being washed away and we are not given the funding promised. 

“We are here to tell the leaders today to say for those of us in Africa and the global South the present is already catastrophic for us. Put the people and the planet above profit.”

The march also saw an outpouring of solidarity offered to striking workers in Glasgow. 

GMB members with trade union flags were visible on the march, while young activists unfurled a banner reading: “Solidarity with the striking workers.”

The union remains locked in a dispute with Glasgow City Council over pay and conditions, with the council bringing in scab labour to cover the staff. 

Speaking at the Glasgow Green rally, GMB’s Chris Mitchell said: “Climate justice and social justice are one. Delegates and world leaders mean nothing to us. 

“We say to everyone across the world — stand with us, not against us.”

Environmental researcher and activist Fraser Stewart said working-class people across Scotland and beyond are “raging” at the lack of action on the climate emergency and see through the hypocrisy of world governments. 

He said: “This is not just a crisis of climate or emissions, it is a crisis of racism, classism and workers’ rights in every single corner of this planet.

“We know there is power in solidarity, there is strength in uniting our struggles. From the suburbs to schemes, north to south — this is our fight.”

Today’s march took place ahead of the Global Day of Action tomorrow, which will see demonstrations take place at various sites across the world, with a set piece march and rally in Glasgow. 

Tens of thousands of campaigners are expected in the city, with over 200 events taking place around the world . 

The Cop26 Coalition said today’s event will focus on a number of social injustices which have been overlooked throughout the past week.

Hosted by Glasgow-based performer and activist Darren McGarvey, the rally will see voices from the trade union movement join indigenous delegates, anti-racism campaigners and faith leaders. 

Coalition spokesperson Asad Rehman said: “This has been the least accessible climate summit ever — with so many people sidelined at the talks or not able to make it in the first place. Today those people are having their voices heard.

“The climate crisis has resulted from our broken, unequal societies and economies.

“We must transform our global economies into ones that protect both people and our planet instead of profit for a few.”