With slogans including "Change the policy, not the climate," and "there is no Planet B," thousands of activists took to the streets of Brussels on Sunday 23 October calling for a more ambitious climate policy.
More than a year after the 50,000 to 70,000-strong climate march, the Climate Coalition, a non-profit organisation that unites more than 90 environmental organisations, organised another action to demand more ambitious measures in the fight against climate change ahead of COP27, which will be taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt next month.
"Floods, heat waves, droughts, forest fires... today, climate change is making itself felt all over the world. Also in Belgium, just think of last summer's disastrous floods. The conflict in Ukraine magnifies this impact and makes us feel even more how vulnerable we are. We demand concrete action. Now!" a statement on the organisation's website read.
Thousands of climate activists gathered around 13:00 at the Brussels North Station, welcomed by musical performances. The march, dubbed Brussels #walkforyourfuture, started at 14:00 and ended around 15:30 at the finishing point under the arch of Parc du Cinquantenaire, where a celebration will be organised until 19:00.
Road and public transport affected
"On Sunday 23 October, a demonstration will pass through Brussels, between 13:00 and 20:00. Traffic disruption is expected along the route, which runs from the North Station to the Parc du Cinquantenaire, via the Inner ring road (R20) and Rue de la Loi," Brussels Mobility announced on its Twitter account.
People have been advised not to come to Brussels by car on Sunday. STIB's buses and trams) were also affected.
On Friday, a nationwide demonstration was organised in schools, with the Climate Coalition encouraging protestors to "make your own placards with your youth group, and use the upcoming action's symbol."
