Thousands rally at COP30 in Brazil demanding an end to fossil fuels
With the United States absent from negotiations for the first time, momentum has been sluggish, though some progress was made with the signing of a Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change aimed at combating climate misinformation.
Thousands of climate protesters marched to the gates of the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, delivering a powerful message calling for the end of fossil fuels and greater protection of the Amazon.
Demonstrators chanted “free the Amazon,” carried giant coffins labeled Oil, Coal, and Gas, and were accompanied by performers dressed as grim reapers.
For the first time since 2021, public protests were allowed outside the UN climate talks, after three consecutive summits in countries where demonstrations were restricted.
Indigenous groups, youth activists, and environmental organizations from Brazil and around the world joined the march, displaying signs such as “the answer is us” and “demarcation now,” urging legal protection of Indigenous lands.
Many emphasized the urgency of climate action, with activists from vulnerable regions—such as Samoa—highlighting the real-life impacts of rising temperatures and sea levels, dw.com reports.
Security remained tight at the summit venue following an earlier incident where protesters broke through barriers, causing minor injuries and property damage.
Despite being dubbed the “Indigenous People’s COP,” many Indigenous communities expressed frustration that their concerns about deforestation, land rights, and resource extraction were not being adequately addressed.
Negotiations among nearly 200 countries continued amid slow progress on major issues such as reducing fossil fuel use and securing climate finance. Brazil, hosting the talks, has faced criticism after permitting new oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon just days before the summit began.
A report released Friday suggested a record 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists were present at COP30 — a 12% increase from last year—raising further concerns about industry influence.
With the United States absent from negotiations for the first time, momentum has been sluggish, though some progress was made with the signing of a Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change aimed at combating climate misinformation.
COP30 negotiations will continue into next week as countries attempt to turn years of pledges into concrete climate action.
