Tens of thousands march in Brussels demanding urgent climate action

Loading the video No Comment Video. Tens of thousands march in Brussels demanding urgent climate action Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 12/10/2026 - 10:05 GMT+2 Tens of thousands of people marched through Brussels on Sunday, 11 October, demanding stronger action on climate change ahead of next month's COP31 summit in Antalya, Turkey. Police estimated the turnout at 45,000, while organisers put the figure at 60,000. Among the banners and placards, protesters carried a giant inflatable screaming globe to give the Earth a human voice and demand urgent climate action. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Organised by the Climate Coalition and other environmental groups, the march ended near the EU institutions. Demonstrators called for an end to fossil-fuel subsidies, higher taxes on the industry, and a fair transition to cleaner energy. The demonstration followed a summer of record-breaking temperatures and repeated heatwaves across Europe. Belgium also experienced deadly heat, while wildfires hit the High Fens nature reserve. Expectations for COP31 remain low. The United States has stepped back from international climate efforts under President Donald Trump, while climate action has slipped down the political agenda in Europe. The European Commission is also proposing a one-year delay (from 2027 to 2028) to reporting requirements for importers of fossil fuels under the EU’s methane rules. The change would require approval by EU lawmakers and member states. Belgium Demonstration Global warming and climate change COP31 European Union Fossil fuels Top stories Now playing Next Tens of thousands march in Brussels demanding urgent climate action Now playing Next Nepal orders evacuations after landslide triggers Budhi Gandaki flash flood Now playing Next Denmark tests humanoid robots in supermarkets to help to ease staff workload at night Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 12th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Judo: Japan reclaim mixed team world title with eighth gold in Baku Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 11th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Zaporizhzhia airstrikes kill 17 as Russia intensifies attacks across Ukraine Now playing Next Could student protests ignite a wider movement in France? Now playing Next Trump says it is time for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy as leader Now playing Next Protesters take to the streets in Portugal over rising living costs Now playing Next Panic in Panama as 7.7 quake hits, cathedral collapses and tsunami warnings spread Now playing Next Threats to ICC 'not acceptable,' EU says after US announces sanctions Now playing Next Spain national day military parade: 4,380 troops, 82 aircraft and Dragón armoured vehicles debut Now playing Next 'NATO's KPI is peace', Latvia's foreign minister says Now playing Next Rare Kandinsky masterpiece and Hockney’s beloved dog painting head to London auction Now playing Next Europe Today: Trump claims Ukraine-Russia energy ceasefire as Baltics stay on alert ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Panic in Panama as 7.7 quake hits, cathedral collapses and tsunami warnings spread No Comment Police clash with protesters in Brussels as thousands march against spending cuts No Comment Rare waterspouts slam western Sicily, wrecking homes and a school No Comment Indonesia: Baby orangutan saved from Borneo wildfires as habitat destruction escalates Europe News Tens of thousands urge EU for climate action at Brussels demonstration Europe News Pope Leo XIV to have surgery in 'coming days' to remove nodule in lung Europe News Protesters take to the streets in Portugal over rising living costs and housing prices Europe News Teen revolt or revolution? The student protests threatening France's presidential race The Big Question ESA director general reveals €10bn plan to get to space without NASA Europe News Trump says Ukraine needs new president after Zelenskyy condemns Russia fuel deal Sport Lee Claims World Gold as Tasoev Secures His Third World Title in Baku Saudi Arabia 12 killed and more than 300 wounded in attack on Riyadh airport ADVERTISEMENT India Thousands detained in New Delhi as police crack down on 'cockroach' movement Europe News Czechs head to polls in local and Senate elections Europe News Russian strikes on Ukraine kill at least 20, including three children USA Life-threatening Hurricane Isaias makes landfall in Florida, bringing high winds and heavy rain USA Zelenskyy hits out at 'gifts to Putin' after Trump announces deal for Russian diesel Sport Historic Gold for Lytvynenko as Sulamanidze Triumphs in Baku World News Powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Panama, damaging buildings and injuring at least 27 Europe News Latvia’s border guard seeks greater powers amid increasingly violent border crossings ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT