Hundreds of climate activists, young and old, embarked on a three-day march on Sunday to the make their voices heard at the 50th World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos.

Some 50 heads of government and state are expected to attend Davos along with representatives of big business and Swedish eco-campaigner Greta Thunberg
Some 50 heads of government and state are expected to attend Davos along with representatives of big business and Swedish eco-campaigner Greta Thunberg AFP / Fabrice COFFRINI

The group, brandishing banners warning "Climate crisis: a world economic failure" and "there is no Planet B," urged political and business leaders to take responsibility for averting environmental catastrophe as they set off from the small town of Landquart some 50 kilometres (32 miles) from Davos.

"The climate question is the number one issue and it should simply be topic number one at Davos too and participants should recognise that; it is essential they go in this direction," Katherine, a Zurich-based pensioner, told AFP.

Climate activists urged politicians and big business to clean up their act as they set off on a three-day march ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos
Climate activists urged politicians and big business to clean up their act as they set off on a three-day march ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI

Local authorities have only authorised the first two days of the activists' march as far as the swanky ski resort of Klosters but the group say they plan to follow narrow footpaths to make it as near the summit as possible.

Hundreds of climate activists set off bound for Davos from the Swiss town of Landquart looking to pressure WEF participants to take stronger action
Hundreds of climate activists set off bound for Davos from the Swiss town of Landquart looking to pressure WEF participants to take stronger action AFPTV / Eloi ROUYER

"Here we are with 700 people hiking to Davos. It is amazing, it is incredible solidarity for people in a country that is very worthy, that is not dealing with the same kind of issues. But they understand the immorality of Davos, the immorality of a billionaire class that meets every year to celebrate their excesses," said Kenyan eco-campaigner Njoki Njoroge Njehu.

Njehu made a speech at a similar gathering Friday in Lausanne which was attended by teenage Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. She was not in Landquart but is expected to show in Davos and address the forum after US President Donald Trump.

The atmosphere was festive as the group set off around 1:30 pm (1230 GMT), several serenading their fellow marchers with Alpine horns.

The January 21-24 WEF forum has stressed that climate change is a key topic at this year's summit. The forum is inviting some 2,800 invited participants, including major businesses and some 50 heads of state and government, to set a net-zero carbon emissions target for 2050.

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