Paris, Reuters – The French government has banned two planned marches on climate change, timed to coincide with the upcoming global climate talks, citing the recent terror attacks.
Marches planned on November 29 and December 12 during the COP-21 international climate talks in Paris will not be authorised for security reasons, the French government says.
All demonstrations organised in closed spaces or in places where security can easily be ensured could go ahead, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
“However, in order to avoid additional risks, the government has decided not to authorise climate marches planned in public places in Paris and other French cities on November 29 and December 12,” it said.
Environmental activists have hoped the marches would attract perhaps 200,000 people to put pressure on governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. They have had to rethink their plans following attacks in Paris last Friday that killed 129 people.