An estimated 20,000 climate protesters braved the snow and freezing cold in Brussels on Sunday to take part in a climate march. The protesters are demanding greater decisive action against climate change as a UN climate summit is currently under way in Dubai.
20,000 join climate march in Brussels: "World leaders must now deliver on their climate commitments" (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
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The march was organised by the Climate Coalition, a coalition of NGOs, trade unions and civil movements. Last year, more than 25,000 protesters participated. Now it is 20,000 activists, according to the police with the wintry weather probably cutting numbers.
Around 13:15, the march left the North Station heading for Jubel Park where speeches were held. This year, one key message in particular stood out: "Every tenth of a degree counts".
"You can see the dramatic consequences of the climate crisis all over the world, but also in our country as in recent weeks in the Westhoek," argues Zanna Vanrenterghem of the Climate Coalition. "World leaders must now deliver on their climate commitments."
"We demand that Belgium and Europe finally work towards thorough insulation of our homes, more and better public transport, less pollution, better air quality, more nature and the sustainability of our industries," she says.