CLYDE port authorities and Police Scotland have reportedly U-turned on a decision to deny permission to four youth climate activists who are aiming to sail up the Clyde to COP26.
The activists, members of campaign group Fridays for Future Mapa (Most Affected People and Areas), come from Namibia, Uganda, Mexico and Bangladesh.
They are on Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior and are attempting to sail to the climate conference in Glasgow to demand that world leaders “stop failing” young people across the world.
A request on Saturday night by the ship’s captain for a berth outside the SEC conference centre in Glasgow, where the talks are being held, was refused by the authorities as per a “notice to mariners”, which stated that sailing up the River Clyde is not permitted and that the area is now controlled by Police Scotland.
READ MORE: Greenpeace defies Glasgow port in plan to sail boat up Clyde to COP26
Last night, as the Rainbow Warrior approached the Firth of Clyde, it was also contacted by HMC Vigilant, which warned the ship’s captain that if it continued its voyage it would be in breach of maritime laws, and that Police Scotland would “act accordingly”.
Following a meeting with the ship’s captain this morning, Greenpeace is now reporting that the Clyde port authorities announced that it wants to help facilitate the ship’s arrival.
In a joint statement, youth climate activists Jakapita Faith Kandanga, Farzana Faruk Jhumu, Edwin Namakanga and Maria Reyes, said: “The authorities have seen sense and now understand that our presence at the climate summit is too important to shut out.
READ MORE: COP26 LIVE: World leaders gather in Glasgow as UN climate summit begins
"It’s ridiculous to think that climate talks could be held without the most affected people there and it’s positive that the police and port authorities have changed their minds.
“World leaders attending the talks could learn a lot from this cooperation. We have been ignored long enough, and now with a safe passage to Glasgow our voices must be heard at COP26.”
Once the climate activists arrive at COP26 later today, they hope to join forces with other campaigners to hold a press conference near the conference in which they will issue a message to world leaders.
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