SYDNEY - A French climber nicknamed "Spiderman" was fined 750 dollars (S$884) Wednesday for scaling a Sydney skyscraper without permission.

Alain Robert made his way up the 219-metre (718-foot) Aurora Place building without safety ropes or a harness on Tuesday and was arrested upon his descent and charged with risking the safety of others by climbing a building.

The 46-year-old daredevil was given a dressing down by magistrate Graeme Henson when he appeared in a Sydney court to face the charge.

"It takes all kinds to make up the world doesn't it," Henson said.

"It's one thing to be proud of your achievement, but it's another thing to be disrespectful of the laws as a guest in this country."

Robert, who has climbed more than 80 buildings around the world in an attempt to raise awareness about climate change, said outside the court that it was impossible for him to gain official permission before each stunt.

"We would need to go through the whole process, meaning we would need to go to the police department, maybe the fire department, so it's not that easy," he told reporters.

He apologised for any inconvenience caused to officials but said he experienced no problems during the climb.

"On a scale of one to 10, it was not even a one," he said. -AFP