climate change activists
Disobedience, blockades and discussions: Activists are gearing up for COP21 Reuters

The Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) is being heralded as the world's last chance to tackle climate change. This year, temperatures have reached the 1C mark; half-way to the generally accepted 2C maximum after which the effects of climate change become alarmingly worse. Commentators are already saying that the deal will never come close to the 2C target and the United Nations Environment Programme has said that the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions submitted by countries so far will not be enough.

Starting in Paris on 30 November, the conference is planned to go on until 11 December - during those 12 days activists are gearing up to make as much noise as they can to cajole ministers to strike a significant deal. Expectations might be low but activists are not planning to take it lying down (expect maybe to blockade a road).

With marches all over the world in support of a climate deal on the weekend before the talks, events are planned to empower, bring awareness and make people's voices heard to the men and women discussing the future of the planet in Le Bourget, Paris. On 12 December, the day after the conference is scheduled to finish (though, each year the conferences tends to overshoot) a day of mass civil disobedience is planned in Paris to really get the point across.

Below are some of the events in store;

The People's March for Climate, Justice and Jobs

people's climate march
Thousands march down 6th Avenue in New York as part of the People's Climate March in 2014 Reuters

On 28 and 29 November, the weekend before the start of COP21, activists are gathering in cities around the world for marches in what organisers are expecting to be "the biggest-ever protest to protect the planet". Last year, the People's Climate March in New York was the largest to have ever taken place - at one point the march had to stop because the entire route was full.

Over 1,500 marches have been organised around the world, with the focal point being the march in Paris on the 29th. Major cities around the world including Berlin, Melbourne, Ottawa, Beirut and Tokyo will also be hosting their own marches.

In Scotland the main march will take place in Edinburgh on 28 November - Organisers have instructed demonstrators to "wear your brightest colours as Scotland marches on this weekend of global action". Wales and Northern Ireland will have their own marches as well.

On the 29 November demonstrators will descend on London for UK's main march of the weekend. Starting from Park Lane, near Hyde Park Corner, the march will go past Trafalgar Square and Parliament before ending at Millbank. Coaches are being organised to transport participants attending from outside London.

The Climate Games

child holds protest sign
Teams or individuals can join up online before planning "disruptions" Reuters

It started in the Port of Amsterdam in 2014, the Climate Games are "a diversity of acts of creative disobedience" organised online and around the world. Describing themselves as where "action-adventure meets actual change", they plan to "turn Paris and the world into a giant, direct action playing field for climate justice".

Teams or individuals can join up online before planning "disruptions" that will take place between 30 November and 12 December. Teams then report back and win points. An award ceremony will be held in Paris on 13 December to hand out awards including "the Courage Is Contagious Cup for an action that steps you out of your comfort zone", and "The Pi**ed Myself Cup".

People's Climate Summit

climate change baby
Will the COP21 be able to respond to the climate crisis?  Reuters

Just outside the East of Paris, in Montreuil, an alternative summit is taking place on 5 and 6 December, opening the door to new and different voices to discuss important climate change issues.

The summit has two parts - the Climate Forum and the Global Village of Alternatives. In the Climate Forum, experts and participants will speak on a number of issues and look to answer some of the most pressing questions around climate change and the Paris talks; "What are the solutions facing climate change? What are the responsibilities of States and multinationals regarding the climate crisis? How do we keep North–South solidarity alive? How will climate changes impact our lives? What is climate justice? Will the COP21 be able to respond to the climate crisis? What are the strategies to construct an ever-renewing movement for climate justice?"

Running alongside Climate Forum, the Global Village of Alternatives will showcase radical ideas for a sustainable world. Stands will introduce visitors to people and groups who have implemented alternative solutions in their home towns, as well as artistic and cultural events.

Climate Action Zone

emma thompson climate march
Actress Emma Thompson speaks to the media at the start of the People's Climate March in London in September 2014 Reuters

Starting on 7 December, Le Centquatre-Paris will become a hub for action around the city, organisers want the cultural institution to become "a meeting space overflowing with life, creative ideas and joyful resistance".

The Centquatre will also host screenings, discussions and exhibitions about climate change and resistance movements campaigning about the earth's warming.

D12 - The Red Line

people's climate march
Organisers are planning the biggest demos in the history of COP21 Reuters

One of the biggest, single acts of disobedience, over the entire conference will be the Red Line, when activists from a myriad of groups, beliefs and backgrounds will encircle the conference carrying red lines. "If all goes to plan it could be the largest act of climate disobedience in Europe," said John Jordan in Red Pepper, "Farmers from the frontlines of France's biggest anti-airport struggle are lining up their tractors alongside frontline communities from the disappearing Pacific islands." Thousands of activists are planning to blockade the streets around Le Bourget and keep the delegates locked inside.

The red line is planned for 12 December as part of the D12 day of action, but if the conference ends on schedule (the UNFCCC conferences have never ended on time) the line will take place on the 11 December. 350.org, one of the main groups taking part, has said it could be "one of those days that changes everything".

With so much happening around the world and all across Paris over the two weeks starting 28 November, we will have to wait to see how much it influences the delegates haggling over what is hoped will be the next big global climate deal. Whatever happens, activists are going to try their best to make their voices heard.