Millions to participate in climate protest around the globe

Thousands of demonstrations are taking place around the world in what could be the largest climate protest in history.

The strikes had been scheduled ahead of the UN General Assembly, and the climate action summit on 23 September in which governments, bosses from large companies and other authorities would try to develop ambitious solutions to deal with the climate crisis.

In London, people began gathering near Westminster from 1100 BST and mayor Sadiq Khan told the Guardian that he fully supports schools across the city who are allowing students to peacefully join the strikes.

“It is unbelievable that we need strike action for the future of our planet to be taken seriously by government’s around the world,” he said.

“I fully support the thousands of young people peacefully and lawfully protesting around the country today who feel so strongly about the climate change emergency and I share their frustration. The stark reality is we are running out of time for meaningful change.”

According to the Guardian, the London police were planning to impose restrictions on the global climate strike in London on Friday, warning that anyone who did not comply risked arrest.

The conditions outlined under a so-called section 14 restrict the demonstration in London to an area around Westminster and Millbank and said the action must finish by 1530BST.

There were more than 3,400 events planned for Friday spanning 120 countries, with the numbers of participants expected to surpass the estimated 1.6m people who took part in the global strike in March.