Fridays for Future organised demonstrations in over 70 German locations to coincide with COP30 in Belém, pressing the federal government for stronger climate action. Police and organisers reported differing turnout estimates — about 1,000 in Hamburg and between 600 (police) and 2,000 (organisers) in Berlin. Speakers including Luisa Neubauer and Carla Reemtsma criticised policy moves such as reversing an air-ticket tax increase and demanded a phase-out of fossil fuels and stronger climate finance.
Hundreds Rally Across Germany Demanding Stronger Climate Action as COP30 Begins
Fridays for Future organised demonstrations in over 70 German locations to coincide with COP30 in Belém, pressing the federal government for stronger climate action. Police and organisers reported differing turnout estimates — about 1,000 in Hamburg and between 600 (police) and 2,000 (organisers) in Berlin. Speakers including Luisa Neubauer and Carla Reemtsma criticised policy moves such as reversing an air-ticket tax increase and demanded a phase-out of fossil fuels and stronger climate finance.
02:25 AM, 11/15/2025Environment
Protests timed to COP30 call for an end to fossil fuel support
Hundreds of climate demonstrators marched on Friday across more than 70 German cities to criticise the federal government’s handling of the climate crisis and its continued backing of fossil fuels. The nationwide actions were organised by Fridays for Future to coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) taking place in Belém, Brazil.
Organisers and police reported differing crowd sizes: roughly 1,000 people in Hamburg, and in Berlin around 600 according to police and about 2,000 according to protest organisers. In the capital, demonstrators gathered peacefully in front of the Brandenburg Gate, displaying an LED banner that read "Keep your Promises" and holding placards demanding urgent climate measures.
Several speakers were scheduled to address the crowds, including prominent German climate activist Luisa Neubauer. In an interview with broadcaster RBB, Neubauer criticised recently announced plans by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing coalition to reverse an increase in the air-travel ticket tax, calling the move a "gift to airlines." Ahead of the actions, she told dpa that "Germany has taken on the role of the aimless blocker in the global fight against the existential climate crisis."
Carla Reemtsma, representing Fridays for Future on-site at the COP in Belém, urged the federal government to stop investing in fossil gas and to use the summit to push for a definitive phase-out of fossil fuels and greater climate finance. In Hamburg, the protest programme included speeches and performances from artists, while many towns combined demonstrations with evening lantern parades.
"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," said Carla Reemtsma.
The nationwide protests underscore continued public frustration in Germany over perceived slow progress on climate policy, and they aim to increase pressure on national leaders during an important international climate summit.