HUNDREDS of youth climate activists and protesters gathered outside the Cop26 conference today to condemn the inaction of world leaders in the past two weeks. 

A rally, organised by the Fridays for Future (FFF) movement, saw a large contingent from groups that have consistently disrupted Cop26 events amid claims of greenwashing, including Extinction Rebellion and affiliated activists. 

FFF said that with talks ongoing on Friday towards a settlement, the same men who caused the crisis are the ones now deciding our future. 

Filipina climate striker Mitzi Jonelle Tan told the crowd in Glasgow that countries such as hers are terrified of the coming effects of climate change, calling out the fossil fuel lobby’s presence at Cop26.  

She said: “I am so afraid because the text is talking about five to 10 years from now. But typhoons hit my country every year.

“The fossil fuel industry is more welcome than the youth, the disabled, the indigenous — all the people who should actually be in there.”

Rolling protests were expected to continue into last night, with a heavy police presence across the city. 

Officers in the city confirmed that a further eight arrests had been made on Thursday, taking the total number of protesters arrested to 78. 

The protest comes after luxury car owners around the Cop26 summit shared their rage after campaigners deflated their tyres in protest against the environmental impacts of the vehicles. 

Tyred of SUVs campaign group said the tyres of around 60 4x4s in the West End of Glasgow were deflated in the action, as the climate change conference continues. 

Activists placed “climate violation” flyers on the windscreens, which stated: “Your SUV contributes to the second-biggest cause of carbon emissions rises in the last decade.

“This is why we have disarmed your car by deflating one or more of its tyres.

“Action is required from you: Go small. Go public transport.”

Some motorists hit by the action on Thursday took to social media to air their frustration.

The group said no tyres were harmed in the action, hitting back at claims the activists were “idiots” and could have prevented the vehicles being used in an emergency.  

A spokeswoman for Tyred of SUVs said: “If the 1 per cent won’t take responsibility for the climate destruction they wreak, we’ll make them.”