World

Thousands urge climate action in Brussels

Published: 03:10 PM,Oct 11,2026 | EDITED : 07:10 PM,Oct 11,2026

Protesters take part in the Climate March 2026, organised by the Climate Coalition, in Brussels, on October 11m 2026. The Climate Coalition demands the federal and regional governments to stop subsidising polluting industrial activities in Belgium and levy higher taxes on these companies. - Belgium OUT
 
Protesters take part in the Climate March 2026, organised by the Climate Coalition, in Brussels, on October 11m 2026. The Climate Coalition demands the federal and regional governments to stop subsidising polluting industrial activities in Belgium and levy higher taxes on these companies. - Belgium OUT

BRUSSELS: Thousands of people marched through the Belgian capital Brussels to the EU's headquarters to demand greater action to combat climate change ahead of a major UN summit. Record heatwaves across Europe this month have raised concerns about the impact that man-made climate change is having on the continent.
Delegates from around the globe will gather in the Turkish resort town of Antalya next month for the annual COP gathering. But expectations are low that the meeting will yield any major breakthroughs as the United States under Donald Trump has disengaged from the process and momentum is waning in Europe.
'There is a great deal of concern among the population, not just among the protesters today,' economist Etienne de Callatay said, as he attended the march. 'The extreme heat we experienced this summer is something everyone was aware of. Politicians shouldn't be afraid of electoral repercussions if they take courageous measures on environmental issues.' After having its hopes dashed for a more ambitious deal last year in Brazil, the European Union is setting its sights low for next month's COP31. — AFP