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**.
Organised by the Climate Coalition and other environmental groups, the march ended near theEU institutions. Demonstrators called for an** end to fossil-fuel subsidies**,** higher taxeson the industry, and a fair transition to cleaner energy**.
The demonstration followed a summer of record-breaking temperatures andrepeated heatwaves across Europe. Belgium also experienceddeadly heat, while** wildfireshit the High Fens nature reserve. Expectations for COP31 remain low**. The** United States has stepped backfrom 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 fuelsunder the EU’s methane rules. The change would require approval by EU lawmakers and member states**.