Climate activists accuse France and its president of not doing enough to fight climate change.

Greenpeace activists have hung banners from a huge construction crane atop Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, accusing France and President Emmanuel Macron of not doing enough to fight climate change.

The medieval landmark is under reconstruction after a devastating fire last year and is off-limits to the public.

The group said in a statement on Thursday that four climbers mounted the huge crane, about 80 metres (260 feet) high, soon after dawn and unfurled banners with such phrases as “Climate: Let’s Act”.

The activists took the banners down after a couple of hours and descended from the crane. No one was arrested, according to Greenpeace France.

The group wants tougher laws on emissions and accuses Macron of making empty announcements about climate change, such as when he launched a global campaign to “Make our Planet Great Again” after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 UN climate accord.

Macron last week announced 15 billion euros ($16.9bn) in new climate measures after Green Party candidates did well in municipal elections across France.

But Greenpeace said the money is overshadowed by billions more given to the high-emitting car and aviation industries to help weather the coronavirus-related recession.

The crane is being used to help remove tonnes of scaffolding surrounding the monument for a prior renovation effort that had been under way when the fire broke out.

The scaffolding was deformed in the fire, which investigators determined was accidental. The cathedral is expected to take years to rebuild.

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