Climate change protesters have chained themselves together to block the doors to the government’s energy department headquarters as part of a campaign of direct action.
At least two activists were arrested - an 85-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman - after the demonstrators lay in front of the entrance and turnstiles at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Some glued their hands to the doors, others sang protest songs or banged drums.
Members of Christian Climate Action and Extinction Rebellion said they were protesting in solidarity with the anti-fracking movement and called on ministers to do more to prevent climate disaster.
It was the start of a planned fortnight of mass civil disobedience in which hundreds of protesters say they are prepared to face arrest.
“We’re here to force the government into action about the increasing ecological disaster that’s happening,” Christian Climate Action tweeted.
“We do this not because we want to, but because our beautiful planet is at stake. When all avenues have been tried and failed, non-violent direct action is the only way.
“If we don’t take action now, we will be the last generation who can.
“The government refuses to create the appropriate legislation to tackle #climatechange. Therefore, the two weeks of rebellion begin now.”
The organisers of Extinction Rebellion said they were protesting against the government’s “complicity” with the fracking and fossil fuel industries, spearheaded by the energy department.
“This planet is being killed, and the culprits have names and addresses!” they tweeted.
The activists hope to bring sections of London to a standstill during the coming days, culminating in a sit-in protest at Parliament Square on Saturday.
