Climate protester scales London's Big Ben on final day of action

Tree surgeon Ben Atkinson, 43, stands after unfurling Extinction Rebellion banners from his climb up Big Ben in London, Britain, October 18, 2019, in this still image from video obtained via social media. Taylor Underwood via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

LONDON (Reuters) - A climate-change protester climbed scaffolding around London's Big Ben tower at parliament on Friday, as nearly two weeks of action from the Extinction Rebellion group draws to a close.

The movement has been targeting government buildings, a local airport and financial institutions such as BlackRock to highlight the threat posed by global warming.

Tree surgeon Ben Atkinson, 43, climbed part of the way up Big Ben, hanging two banners from scaffolding on the tower, which is being renovated.

Tree surgeon Ben Atkinson, 43, unfurls an Extinction Rebellion banner after climbing up the scaffolding of Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019, in this still image from video obtained via social media. Taylor Underwood via REUTERS

"(He) will drop an Extinction Rebellion banner to highlight government inaction on the Climate and Ecological Emergency," the group said in a message.

Coming to prominence in April when it sparked travel chaos in London for 11 days, Extinction Rebellion wants Britain to accelerate its plans to eliminate fossil fuels.

Police said officers were at the scene.

A person takes a picture of an Extinction Rebellion climate change activist on the scaffolding of the Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

(Reporting by Costas Pitas and William James; editing by Stephen Addison)

An Extinction Rebellion climate change activist is seen on the scaffolding of the Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

An Extinction Rebellion climate change activist is seen on the scaffolding of the Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

An Extinction Rebellion climate change activist is seen on the scaffolding of the Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

An Extinction Rebellion climate change activist is seen on the scaffolding of the Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

An Extinction Rebellion climate change activist is seen on the scaffolding of the Big Ben tower in London, Britain, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

Activists protest during an Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Whitehall, London, Britain October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

"Red Brigade" activists protest during an Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Whitehall, London, Britain October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

"Red Brigade" activists walk during an Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Whitehall, London, Britain October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson