Thousands of protesters took part in Walk Against Warming in Sydney on Saturday, demanding the Federal Government set strict emission targets when it designs its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

The scheme is due for release by the end of the year and will set emission targets for the nation's main polluting industries.

About 15,000 protesters took part in the march that was organised by the Nature Conservation Council.

The council's executive director, Cate Faehrmann, said the numbers showed "the community was still very concerned about climate change and they feel the Government needs to do more".

Despite grey skies, a colourful crowd showed up. Some of the protesters were dressed as polar bears; some people wore windmills on their backs.

Others carried placards of penguins with messages that read: "Don't build your home on my home" and "Some like it hot, penguins not."

In Brisbane climate warriors including members of the Greens, Queensland Conservation and the World Wildlife Fund formed a "human map" of Queensland before taking off on Brisbane's Walk against Warming to raise awareness about climate change.

"A good outcome for us would be for the Rudd Government to take a strong role in the lead-up to the UN climate negotiations in Poland," Queensland Conservation spokesman Toby Hutcheon said.

"Mr Rudd was elected for his strong stance on climate change and we'd like to send him a message today to not soften his position."

Greens MP Ronan Lee used the event to brand the State Government as out of touch.

"The State Government didn't send anyone to the biggest climate change awareness event of the year," he said.

Brisbane resident Durrand Ryall said he had marched for his children.

"We came out to make a better future for the kids."

Rally organiser Cassie McMahon said Queenslanders were particularly concerned with the impact of global warming on the Great Barrier Reef and neighbouring Pacific Islands.

"We're asking the Federal Government to set targets that will mean Pacific Islanders will not be inundated due to rising sea levels and that they will be able to have a better chance of adapting to climate change," Ms McMahon said.

The Brisbane rally featured the slogan "Save our Neighbours, Save our Reef".

- with AAP