Standfirst: Tens of thousands of people marched through Brussels on Sunday, calling for stronger climate policies ahead of next month’s COP31 summit. Organisers and police gave different estimates for the crowd, while campaigners urged Belgian and European leaders to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Brussels on 11 October to demand faster action on climate change, taking their message to the area around the European Union’s institutions. The march came as governments prepare for the United Nations climate summit, COP31, due to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, next month.
Police estimated that 45,000 people took part, while organisers put attendance at approximately 60,000. The difference reflects the competing crowd estimates often seen at large demonstrations, but both figures indicate a substantial mobilisation in the Belgian capital.
Climate campaigners set out five demands
The protest was organised by Climate Coalition with support from other groups, including Groen, the Flemish green political party. Campaigners said their demands have remained consistent, but argued that extreme weather has made the need for action more urgent.
The coalition called for:
- An end to subsidies for fossil fuels and stronger taxation of the fossil fuel sector
- More green spaces in towns and cities
- A fair transition that protects people affected by the shift to a low-carbon economy
- Greater support for households and businesses moving away from fossil fuels
- More international cooperation to address climate change
The demands span both domestic and European policy. They include measures affecting energy, taxation, urban planning, social protection and international climate diplomacy.
Extreme heat fuels concern across Europe
Speakers and demonstrators linked the march to the effects of heatwaves and wildfires experienced across Europe. Campaigners said extreme temperatures had affected daily life, including sleep, housing conditions and public health.
Aimen Horch, president of the Green Party in Flanders and Brussels, said people had witnessed heat-related deaths and fires in the High Fens, a major nature reserve in Belgium. He argued that climate change should remain a political priority despite pressure on governments to focus on other issues.
Other participants called for climate measures that also address inequality. Aurore Schreiber, who works for a development cooperation organisation, said the transition should take account of young people, vulnerable communities, workers and wages.
Economist Etienne de Callatay said concern about extreme heat extended beyond those attending the protest. He urged politicians to take environmental measures even when they may face political resistance.
Why the Brussels protest matters for EU climate policy
The demonstration took place near the EU’s main institutions at a time when European climate policy is facing competing pressures. The European Union presents itself as a leading force in international climate action, but it is also attempting to strengthen industrial competitiveness and respond to higher energy costs.
That tension is visible in debates over the pace of environmental regulation. The source report said the European Commission had proposed delaying implementation of methane legislation by one year, from 2027 to 2028. Such a proposal is not the same as a final change to EU law: its eventual effect depends on the relevant legislative and institutional process.
For campaigners, the proposed delay symbolises a wider concern that climate targets may be losing priority as governments seek to reduce costs for businesses and consumers. For policymakers, the challenge is to combine emissions reductions with energy security, affordable supplies and economic competitiveness.
Low expectations ahead of COP31
International expectations for COP31 are reportedly subdued. The summit will bring together delegates from around the world to discuss efforts to limit global warming, reduce emissions and support climate adaptation.
Several factors are contributing to the cautious outlook:
- The United States has disengaged from the climate process under President Donald Trump.
- Higher energy prices have strengthened the position of major oil and gas producers.
- European governments are balancing climate ambition against industrial and economic pressures.
- Previous negotiations failed to deliver the level of progress sought by many climate campaigners.
The EU is expected to maintain its claim to international climate leadership, including through financial support for climate action. However, its influence will depend partly on whether it can demonstrate that ambitious emissions policies remain politically and economically achievable at home.
What happens next?
The Brussels march is a political demonstration rather than an EU institutional decision. It does not itself change European legislation or require the European Commission, the European Parliament or the Council of the European Union to adopt a particular measure.
Its significance lies in the pressure it places on Belgian politicians and EU policymakers before COP31. The next stages will include further discussion of European climate legislation, national measures to reduce fossil fuel dependence and international negotiations at the summit in Antalya.
For Ireland and other EU member states, the debate is relevant because climate policies can affect energy prices, business investment, transport, housing and support for households. The precise impact will depend on legislation adopted at EU level and how member states implement national measures.
Conclusion
The Brussels climate march showed that public concern about extreme heat and environmental policy remains significant, with police estimating 45,000 participants and organisers reporting around 60,000. The protest does not produce a new rule, but it sends a clear message to European leaders: campaigners want climate action to remain central as the EU prepares for COP31 and weighs the balance between environmental ambition, affordability and competitiveness.
