Thousands urge climate action at Brussels demo

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Brussels on Sunday to participate in the National Climate March, calling for more urgent action to address climate change before the upcoming UN summit. The event took place in front of the European Council and European Commission buildings, drawing attention to the extreme heatwaves that have swept across Europe this summer, heightening concerns over the impact of human-induced climate change on the continent.

Delegates from around the world are set to convene in Antalya, Turkey, next month for the annual COP gathering. However, expectations for any significant breakthroughs at this year's meeting are low, as the United States under President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the process, and momentum in Europe is dwindling. Economist Etienne de Callatay, who attended the march, expressed concern among the population and urged politicians not to be deterred by electoral repercussions if they take bold steps to tackle environmental issues.

The European Union, which sees itself as the global leader in climate action and the primary international donor in the field, is now aiming for a more modest outcome at the upcoming COP31. The US withdrawal from negotiations has weakened international efforts to combat global warming, and the situation has become even more challenging due to surging energy prices. These price increases have given major oil and gas producers a stronger position, making them less inclined to discuss phasing out fossil fuels.

Despite its efforts, the EU finds itself at the COP having recently weakened its own environmental legislation. Struggling to compete with China and the United States, Brussels has adopted a more business-friendly approach. Last month, the European Commission proposed delaying the implementation of a law targeting methane, a potent greenhouse gas, by a year, from 2027 to 2028.