Almost 150 world leaders are in Paris on Monday to agree on legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. They meet at a time when global average temperature are soaring and the affects of climate change are no longer theory but well and truly here. China and the United States – the largest producers of greenhouse gases – will sit together at the annual COP21 (Conference of Parties) in the hope of reaching an agreement at a global political level.

This year’s conference kicks off in the aftermath of the November 13 terror attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. World leaders are observing a moment of silence to honor these victims.

Demonstrators turned up on Sunday in the hope of pressuring leaders and brief clashes erupted at Place de la Republique where peaceful protestors had placed their shoes in a symbolic protest to represent the crowds not allowed to show up.

Later, police officers were pelted with shoes, bottles and candles and the protest turned violent as protestors were subdued with tear gas.