Thousands take part in Brussels climate march

An estimated 20,000 people took place at the Brussels climate march on Sunday, demanding more action against climate change.

The march took place against the backdrop of the UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Bruzz reports.

Participants united around the message that “every tenth of a degree counts” when it comes to changing global temperatures, saying that “fiddling on the margins must end”.

The annual march is organised by the Climate Coalition, a group of 100 NGOs, trade unions and civil movements.

They reported 25,000 participants compared to police counts of 20,000, with marchers walking from Brussels-North station to Cinquantenaire Park, where speeches and musical performances took place.

“You can see the dramatic consequences of the climate crisis all over the world, but also here with us as in recent weeks in the Westhoek,” said Zanna Vanrenterghem, vice-president of the Climate Coalition, referring to the recent flooding in Belgium.

“The UN climate summit COP28 must ensure that world leaders now actually deliver on their climate commitment.

"We demand that Belgium and Europe finally work on thorough insulation of our homes, more and better public transport, less pollution, better air quality, more nature and the sustainability of our industry.”

In the first nine months of 2023, the average global temperature was 1.4°C higher than in the years 1850-1900, which is less than the 1.5°C upper limit set by the 2015 Paris climate accord.

According to the Climate Coalition, every tenth degree of warming is therefore crucial to contain the impacts of global warming, this in terms of human rights, energy supply, food production, biodiversity and more.

Photo: Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga