In preparation for hosting the COP30 climate summit next November, the Brazilian city of Belém is constructing a new four-lane highway, Avenida Liberdade, through a protected section of the Amazon rainforest. This development has sparked significant environmental concerns.
The 13.3-kilometer (8.3-mile) highway is designed to alleviate traffic congestion in Belém, which anticipates welcoming over 50,000 attendees, including global leaders, for the summit. State officials argue that the highway will enhance urban mobility for the city’s 2.2 million residents.
However, environmentalists warn that the highway will bisect the Belém Environmental Protection Area (APAB), disrupting the ecosystem and threatening biodiversity. The fragmentation could lead to changes in the microclimate and increased vulnerability for native species.
Local communities, such as the Abacatal quilombo a settlement of descendants of formerly enslaved Afro-Brazilians—express concerns about the highway’s proximity. They fear it could attract external interests, leading to real estate speculation and social disruptions. Community leaders also highlight past infrastructure projects that negatively impacted their way of life.
The state government acknowledges the environmental implications but emphasizes measures to mitigate potential impacts. These include constructing 30 wildlife crossings, installing acoustic barriers to reduce noise pollution, and fencing the expressway to prevent unauthorized roadside development. Additionally, for every tree removed during construction, three new ones are planned to be planted, although specifics about the replanting schedule and locations remain undisclosed.
Belém’s selection as the COP30 host underscores its strategic importance in global environmental discussions. However, the city’s challenges, including pollution, untreated sewage, and high crime rates, present logistical hurdles for accommodating such a large-scale event.
While deforestation in the Amazon has recently declined to a nine-year low, environmentalists express concerns that infrastructure projects like Avenida Liberdade could reverse this progress. They caution that such developments may open previously inaccessible areas to illegal activities, thereby exacerbating deforestation.
The construction of Avenida Liberdade highlights the complex balance between urban development and environmental conservation. As Belém prepares for COP30, the global community will closely observe how the city addresses these challenges while striving to showcase its commitment to sustainability.
