MEMBERS of Extinction Rebellion locked themselves to a gate at the University of Glasgow today to demand that a green new deal be implemented.

Four activists from the climate change group were pictured with bike locks around their necks attached to the university’s Memorial Gates.

The protesters, who are all students at the university, are calling on the institution to adopt a climate strategy developed by students and staff last year.

Activists said that those involved in the green new deal were “only offered more talk, more dither, more delay” after meeting vice-chancellor Anton Muscatelli, chief operating officer David Duncan and Centre for Sustainable Solutions director Jaime Toney this week to discuss the strategy. 

They said that it includes 60 demands that would “end the university’s countless ecologically destructive practices,” warning that the world is already in the midst of a climate crisis and cannot afford delays.

The plans, which include an overhaul of transport links to the campus, reviews of procurements procedures and the cutting of ties with organisations fuelling the climate emergency, have also been backed by the university’s student representative council and its branch of the University and College Union. 

Student Eve Sharples said: “We are dismayed that the university refused to even make a single commitment to real climate action in yesterday’s meeting. 

“We know what needs to be done. The green new deal made that very clear when it was published two years ago, yet the university still has no viable strategy to tackle its many ecologically destructive practices. 

“The university must live up to its rhetoric on climate and implement the deal now.”

A University of Glasgow spokesman said the institution was committed to climate action and reducing environmental impacts.

“We continue to welcome views from across our community and we will continue to work with our various student bodies to reach our ambitious carbon reduction targets,” he said.