Caravan takes climate change message to Durban – in pictures

A local artist shows a Burundi Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) logo before activists set off from Bujumbura on 9 November on the Caravan of Hope to tell the African story about climate change Photograph: James Akena/PACJA

Rural women farmers prepare a charter on climate change to give to Burundi's vice-president, Thérence Sinunguruza, in Bujumbura before the Caravan of Hope departed
Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Marie Consolate, vice-president of the Synergy Horaniteka, reads the women farmers' charter on climate change Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Farmers clear drainage from their rice garden in Bujumbura, Burundi, which was flooded during a recent storm Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Cyclists lead the 'caravanites' on a bus decorated with the Burundi flag as the caravan sets off from Bujumbura Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Local community members plant trees on the bare hillsides of Giti Cy’inyoni, on the outskirts of the Rwandan capital, Kigali Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

A Rwandan policeman washes his hands in a stream after helping a group to plant trees in Giti Cy’inyoni Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

A brass band plays in Kabale, western Uganda, welcoming the Caravan of Hope
Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Edward Ssekandi, Uganda's vice-president, speaks with Activista Youth Network members during the Speak Up 4 Climate Justice event at Makerere University in Kampala on 12 November Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Supporters attend a ceremony for the PACJA in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on 13 November Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Ali Dawood Mohamed, permanent secretary of Kenya's ministry of the environment, centre, and Mithika Mwenda, PACJA co-ordinator, right, look on as Isaac Kalua, chairman of the Green Africa Foundation, holds a signed petition during the ceremony in Nairobi on 13 November Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Kenya's police band leads a procession during the ceremony in Nairobi for the PACJA Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Tanzania's vice-president, addresses supporters at a ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 15 November Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Seedlings used in tree planting in Chipata eastern province, Zambia, by local environmentalists and 'caravanites' as the caravan reaches Zambia on 19 November Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Zambia minister for local government, housing, early education and environment, Nkandu Luo, waves off the caravan with the Burundi flag in Lusaka, 19 November Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

The 'caravanites' arrive at the Union buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, on 24 November and presented the government of South Africa with petitions collected from the 10 participating countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa). The petition was received by a senior director in the president's office, Mosa Sejosingoe, on behalf of president Jacob Zuma Photograph: James Akena/PACJA/ActionAid

Having travelled for more than 7,000km, the convoy made its presence felt in Durban on 26 November, ahead of the UN's COP17 conference, which began on Monday. Protesters chanted 'Don't exploit Africa', 'Climate change now' and 'Down with polluters' Photograph: Rajesh Jantilal/AFP/Getty Images