YouthNet Global Condemns Amazon Deforestation for COP30 Infrastructure, Decries Hypocrisy

YouthNet condemns the construction of a four-lane highway through the cutting down of 8 miles of protected Amazon rainforest, it is the height of hypocrisy ahead of the UN Climate Summit COP30, as it a direct contradiction to the summit’s mission by the Brazilian Presidency. The highway, being built to accommodate world leaders and 50,000 attendees in Belém, Brazil, is drawing widespread criticism from environmentalists, local communities, and climate activists worldwide.

“It is a cruel irony that a highway destroying the Amazon rainforest is being built for a climate summit meant to protect it,” said Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global.

Satellite images and drone footage reveal that the construction has already caused massive deforestation, disrupting wildlife habitats and displacing local communities and  indigenous peoples that rely on the forest for their livelihoods. Residents like Claudio Verequete, who harvested açaí berries in the now-cleared area, have lost their income without compensation.

The Brazilian government touts the project as a “sustainable highway,” incorporating wildlife crossings and solar lighting. However, conservationists argue that such measures do little to offset the damage caused by clearing vast swathes of the rainforest.  The road construction has sparked widespread outrage from environmentalists, local communities, and climate activists worldwide.

Adding to the controversy, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has recently advocated for increased oil exploration in the Amazon region, further complicating the country’s environmental stance ahead of COP30. The Brazilian government has argued that the revenue generated from oil extraction could be used to fund the country’s transition to renewable energy.

In a statement, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, expressed outrage over the project, stating, “It is a cruel irony that a highway is being built to destroy the Amazon rainforest for a climate summit meant to protect it. This is not a COP for the Amazon; it’s a COP picnic in the Amazon.”

YouthNet Global has called on Brazilian authorities and global leaders to immediately halt the environmentally destructive project. Rahman emphasized, “True climate leadership means listening to local communities and protecting ecosystems, not paving over them. If world leaders are serious about climate action, they must stop projects that sacrifice nature in the name of convenience.”

The construction of the highway has raised serious questions about whether COP30 will be a meaningful step toward climate action or a high-profile event undermined by its own environmental footprint. As scrutiny increases, climate advocates are calling for the summit to leave a legacy of conservation and environmental justice, rather than destruction.

YouthNet Global has also expressed concerns over Brazil’s push for oil exploration in the Amazon, which they argue undermines the country’s credibility as a leader in global climate action. Brazil’s recent decision to join OPEC+ has further amplified these concerns, with critics arguing that it will tarnish Brazil’s role in combating climate change.

Protests have already erupted in Belém, the host city for COP30, where environmental activists have voiced strong opposition to the government’s oil exploration plans. They warn that prioritizing oil extraction will diminish Brazil’s standing as a leader in global climate talks and jeopardize the Amazon’s unique biodiversity and the livelihoods of indigenous communities.

Rahman concluded, “A true just transition to renewable energy is essential for a 1.5°C future. If COP30 is to succeed, it must prioritize conservation and climate justice, not the further exploitation of the Amazon and its people.”

Photo Credit: BBC / Paulo Koba