Thousands march for climate action outside COP30 summit in Brazil

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
22m ago 1 view
Thousands marched in Belem, Brazil, demanding Indigenous voices be heard at COP30. The protest highlights the urgent need for climate action and protection of Indigenous lands.
Thousands march for climate action outside COP30 summit in Brazil
A What happened
On November 15, 2025, a significant protest known as the 'Great People's March' took place in Belem, Brazil, coinciding with the COP30 climate summit. Thousands of Indigenous people and activists gathered to demand that their voices be prioritized in climate discussions. The march featured a festive atmosphere, with participants carrying a giant beach ball symbolizing the Earth and a Brazilian flag that read 'Protected Amazon.' Indigenous activists previously disrupted the summit, urging Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to take decisive action to protect their lands from fossil fuel exploitation. Amnesty International has warned that billions are at risk due to the expansion of fossil fuel projects. The UN has indicated that the world is likely to exceed the critical 1.5C warming threshold within the next decade, emphasizing the need for urgent emissions reductions. Despite the ongoing negotiations, many analysts doubt that significant new agreements will emerge from COP30, although there is hope for progress on previous commitments.

Key insights

  • 1

    Indigenous Rights Highlighted

    The march emphasized the need for Indigenous representation in climate discussions.

  • 2

    Urgent Climate Action Needed

    The UN warns the world may exceed 1.5C warming within a decade.

  • 3

    Fossil Fuel Threats

    Amnesty International reports billions are at risk from fossil fuel projects.

Takeaways

The 'Great People's March' underscores the critical intersection of Indigenous rights and climate action, calling for urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities and the environment.

Topics

Society Climate Change