Photos from Glasgow COP26 climate justice protests

Nov 8

The biggest demonstrations held during COP26 in Glasgow fell right in the middle of the two weeks. Photos taken by Virginie Chabrol show a huge range of people from all backgrounds turning out with different messages, despite the Glasgow weather.

On the 5th November, thousands of young people - and others standing in solidarity such as striking refuse workers - marched to George Square. The statement from the website:

“We must stand more united than ever to emphasize the present, ongoing nature of the climate crisis, and clamour for immediate, just, and concrete action steps from our world leaders.

“The current way of things has systematically marginalized billions of people around the world. With our call to #UprootTheSystem, we seek to address ecological and social crises at their roots by placing MAPA at the center of our struggle and struggling for a society that places people and planet over profit.”

COP26 Fridays for Future Glasgow March on 5 November - Photo Gallery

Climate Justice March for the Global Day of Action on 6 November - Gallery

The Global Day of Action, organised by the COP26 Coalition - held the largest demonstration of the conference with estimates of over 100,000 marching from Kelvingrove and Queen’s Park to a rally at Glasgow Green. The statement from organisers said:

“Justice won’t be handed to us by world leaders or delivered by corporations. So far, governments have done too little too late: colluding with corporations and hiding behind green washed ‘solutions’ that actually don’t exist yet, that don’t address the scale of the problem, and in many cases rely on more exploitation of people and the planet.

“The transformative solutions that we need to survive and build a more just and fair world can only be brought about through collective action, solidarity and coordination, from our local communities and international levels. We are bringing together movements from across the world to build power for system change - indigenous movements, frontline communities, trade unions, racial justice groups, youth strikers, landworkers, peasants, NGOs, grassroots community campaigns, feminist movements, faith groups.

“Wherever you are in the world, now is the time to join the fight for climate justice. We need all hands on deck: in workplaces, communities, schools, hospitals and across national borders.”