Tens of thousands of demonstrators—estimated at 45,000 by police and 60,000 by the Climate Coalition—marched through Brussels to demand stronger and faster climate action from Belgium and European Union institutions. Prompted by a deadly summer of extreme heat and wildfires across Europe, the peaceful protest featured five core demands: taxing excess fossil fuel profits, ending fossil fuel subsidies, ensuring a socially just transition, supporting households and businesses in shifting away from fossil fuels, and strengthening international climate cooperation. Organisers criticized Belgium for maintaining over €15 billion in fossil fuel subsidies and urged leaders to adopt ambitious stances ahead of the upcoming COP31 climate conference in Türkiye.
Environment Pulse Desk: Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of the Belgian capital for a large climate march, urging governments to act more strongly and more quickly against the climate crisis.
Police put attendance at around 45,000. Organisers from the Climate Coalition said about 60,000 people took part, roughly twice the turnout of last year’s march. The procession set off from near Brussels-North station in the early afternoon and wound through the city centre towards the Schuman roundabout, close to the European Union institutions.
Marchers carried banners and placards, along with a giant inflatable globe with a screaming face. Choirs, DJs and brass bands accompanied the crowd, giving the day a mood that was both determined and festive. Families, young people, trade unions, NGOs, universities, human rights groups and opposition politicians all joined in.
Five demands
The Climate Coalition organised the march with dozens of partner groups and criticised what it called a lack of climate ambition in both Belgium and Europe. Demonstrators put forward five main demands:
- Tax the excess profits of fossil fuel companies and phase out fossil fuel subsidies
- Expand and restore nature and green spaces
- Make the climate transition socially just, so it does not deepen inequality
- Actively support households and businesses in moving away from fossil fuels
- Strengthen international cooperation on climate policy
Organisers pointed out that Belgium has still put more than €15 billion of public money into fossil fuel subsidies in recent years. They also noted the record profits posted by major oil companies earlier in 2026 amid geopolitical tensions, at a time when many Belgian families were struggling with higher energy bills.
After a deadly summer
The march came after a summer of extreme heat across Europe that cost lives and sparked wildfires, including one in Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve.
“After this deadly summer for people and nature, we’re taking to the streets for the climate more than ever,” the Climate Coalition said in a statement. “Doing nothing always costs more than taking action.”
Looking ahead to COP31
The protest took place just weeks before the COP31 UN climate conference in Türkiye. Organisers urged Belgium to take a strong negotiating position and called on European leaders to reverse what many marchers see as a weakening of political will on climate.
The demonstration stayed peaceful throughout.
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