A large protest march and a series of rallies took place in the COP26 climate conference’s host city following the first week of discussions by world leaders, while smaller demonstrations went ahead in other cities including London and Cardiff.

“We won’t tolerate warm words and long term targets anymore, we want action now,” said march organiser the COP26 Coalition’s spokesman Asad Rehman.

Active travel campaigners were in attendance and over 1000 cyclists converged on Glasgow on their bikes as part of a ‘Pedal on COP’ initiative.

This comes after an open letter co-signed by 180 groups including Cycling UK and Cycling Scotland urged governments in attendance at COP26 to pledge faster action to boost travel on two wheels.

Measures urged include building more high quality cycling infrastructure, integrating cycling with public transport and implementing policies that encourage people and businesses to replace car trips with more sustainable modes.

“There is no conceivable way for governments to reduce CO₂ emissions quickly enough to avoid the worst of the climate crisis without significantly more cycling,” the letter says.

Also taking part in the ‘Global Day of Action for Climate Justice’ was anti-aviation organisation Stay Grounded which calls for a reduction of air traffic and wants to see a halt put on plans for expansions to 10 UK airports, including London Gatwick.

Campaign coalition Get Glasgow Moving called for a ‘world class, fully integrated and affordable public transport network’ for Glasgow and the wider city region, and is also set to hold further demonstrations today.

Meanwhile campaigners known as Scientist Rebellion occupied and blocked King George V Bridge in Glasgow on Saturday, resulting in 21 arrests.

Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie said the protests in Glasgow were on a size and scale “beyond anything many of us can ever remember” and added he was pleased to say the march through the city was “generally good natured” and went “largely without incident”.

(Photograph: Oliver Kornblihtt / @midianinja)