Thousands of climate activists gathered in Belém, Brazil, to deliver a forceful message to world leaders attending COP30. It was the first time since 2021 that public demonstrations were permitted directly outside a UN climate summit. With chants, symbolic performances and urgent demands, protesters called for an end to fossil fuels and stronger protection of the Amazon and its Indigenous communities.
Mass Demonstrations and Symbolic Displays
Protesters marched under the intense midday sun, carrying large mock coffins labeled Oil, Coal and Gas as a theatrical “funeral for fossil fuels.” Members of Indigenous groups carried signs declaring “the answer is us,” while inflatable figures of an elephant and anaconda moved through the crowd. According to organizers, the demonstration was intended to highlight the global urgency of phasing out fossil fuels and protecting vulnerable communities already experiencing climate-related impacts.
Several demonstrators, including climate activist Brianna Fruean from Samoa, emphasized that frontline regions such as low-lying islands face existential risks. Youth groups, international NGOs and local communities joined forces, voicing frustration at what they described as years of slow progress across successive climate conferences.
Indigenous Concerns and Global Solidarity
Indigenous rights took center stage as participants held banners calling for the legal demarcation of ancestral lands. Experts consistently identify Indigenous groups as key stewards of biodiversity in the Amazon, yet many attendees said their perspectives remain sidelined in official negotiations. Some communities set up independent stalls outside the secure COP30 perimeter after concerns over representation were raised.
Related protests unfolded in other countries, including the United Kingdom, signaling broad international support for demands to protect forests, halt resource extraction and ensure Indigenous voices are fully recognized.
Security Incidents and Negotiation Challenges
Security around the venue remained tight. A breach earlier in the week resulted in minor injuries to two staff members, underscoring tensions around access and inclusion. The conference itself has struggled to gain momentum, with limited progress reported during the first week of negotiations. Delegates voiced concern over the large presence of fossil-fuel-industry representatives, with analysis from the coalition Kick Big Polluters Out estimating 1,600 industry lobbyists in attendance.
The absence of a formal US delegation added another layer of complexity. Some climate leaders issued joint statements urging COP30 to safeguard the integrity of climate science and resist the spread of misinformation. Ten countries have already signed a new Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking.
Political Context in Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva selected Belém as the host city to refocus global attention on the Amazon. Yet his administration drew criticism immediately before the summit for authorizing new oil exploration at the mouth of the Amazon River. Activists argued that such decisions undermine the credibility of the conference and the country’s leadership role in climate action.
Despite setbacks, Brazilian officials maintain that COP30 will advance commitments on climate adaptation, emissions reduction and long-standing pledges from past negotiations. Talks will continue into next week as nearly 200 countries attempt to find consensus on the next phase of global climate policy.
Conclusion
The protests outside COP30 highlight growing frustration among communities most affected by climate change and those who feel silenced in formal negotiations. As world leaders continue deliberations, activists insist that meaningful progress requires confronting fossil fuel dependence, elevating Indigenous leadership and ensuring that science-based commitments guide global climate action.