Extinction Rebellion members staged a protest on the corner of Marcus Clarke and Barry Drive from 7am, forcing motorists to divert through the Australian National University.

Police were able to clear the obstruction for eastbound drivers just before 10am, allowing all traffic to move through the intersection.

Using structures erected on the road, protestors had suspended themselves in the air in front of a blockade of cars for almost three hours.

Several members of the climate action group were arrested in the activation targeting the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, which has an office on the corner where the protest was staged.

Extinction Rebellion said it planned to highlight the association's role in the oil and gas industry.

Scheduled to coincide with Federal Parliament sitting week, protest organiser Andy George said they hoped to send a message to leaders that urgent climate action was needed at a national level

This week will also mark the 28 day cut off for the federal government to appeal a ruling that carbon emissions from coal should not cause harm to young people.

Mr George said if the government says it does not have a duty of care, then the responsibility to act was with the public.

"We are in an escalating climate crisis and it's not going away and our government is failing to protect the everyday people in this country," he said.

"It is clear that regular forms of protest, sending letters, do not work. So we are engaging in non-violent civil disobedience which is the most effective way to get political action which we drastically, urgently need to have a safe future."

Transport Canberra is also reporting an accident nearby, and asking people to avoid the area. It is also expected to affect some city bus routes.

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