Hundreds rally in Germany for more climate action amid COP30 talks

Hundreds of climate demonstrators took to the streets on Friday in several German cities to criticize the German government for failing to take decisive action on climate change and for continuing to support fossil fuels.

The Fridays for Future protest movement organized the action in more than 70 locations in Germany to coincide with the annual UN Climate Change Conference in the Brazilian city of Belém.

The activist group and police stated that about 1,000 people participating in the northern city of Hamburg.

Police said some 600 gathered peacefully in front of the Brandenburg Gate in the German capital Berlin, while organizers spoke of 2,000 demonstrators.

In Berlin, participants displayed an LED sign reading “Keep your Promises.” Others had signs with slogans promoting more action on climate change.

Several speakers were expected, including Luisa Neubauer, a prominent German climate activist.

In an interview with the RBB broadcaster, Neubauer has earlier criticized the recently announced plans of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing coalition to reverse the increase in the air travel ticket tax, describing it as a “gift to airlines.”

In Hamburg, several speakers and artists also addressed the crowd.

In many cities, the demonstrations were to be combined with lantern parades.

Ahead of the planned action, Neubauer told dpa in Berlin that “Germany has taken on the role of the aimless blocker in the global fight against the existential climate crisis.”

Carla Reemtsma, who is on-site for Fridays for Future at the UN climate talks in the Brazilian city of Belém has demanded: “Instead of continuing to invest in dirty gas, the federal government must advocate for the phase-out of fossil fuels at the COP and finally strengthen climate financing.”