Purpose defeated: Brazil cuts thousands of trees to make way for climate summit

Brazil is facing growing criticism after clearing large sections of the Amazon rainforest to build a highway for the upcoming COP30 climate summit, set to take place in Belém, a northern city in Brazil, this November.
The four-lane highway, designed to accommodate tens of thousands of delegates, including world leaders, has sparked concerns about the environmental impact in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
The highway project, which was proposed by the state government of Pará over a decade ago, was delayed several times due to concerns about its environmental impact.
However, with the summit approaching, the project has moved forward as part of a broader plan to prepare Belém for the influx of visitors. The state is also undertaking other major infrastructure projects, such as expanding the airport, redeveloping the port for cruise ships, and constructing new hotels.
The state government defends the highway, claiming it will be sustainable. They point to features like cycle lanes and wildlife crossings designed to help animals move through the area safely. Adler Silveira, the state’s infrastructure secretary, also highlighted that the road would use solar-powered lighting, further emphasizing its environmental credentials.
Despite these claims, many locals and environmental groups are outraged. Residents like Claudio Verequete, who lives about 200 meters from the new road, argue that the construction is devastating their livelihoods.
Verequete, who once made his living harvesting açaí berries, shared his frustration with the BBC, saying, “Everything was destroyed. Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family.”
Conservationists have also raised alarms, warning that the deforestation could harm wildlife and disrupt the delicate balance of the Amazon ecosystem. The region is crucial for absorbing carbon dioxide and preserving global biodiversity, and many critics argue that the destruction of the forest for a highway goes against the very purpose of hosting a climate summit in the area.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the country’s environment minister have defended the summit, claiming it will provide a unique opportunity to highlight the needs of the Amazon. Lula has stated that this will be “a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon,” focusing on the region’s challenges and showcasing the federal government’s efforts to protect the rainforest.
As the summit draws closer, the debate over the highway and its environmental impact is intensifying, with critics questioning whether the destruction of part of the Amazon can be justified in the name of hosting a global climate event.