The construction of Avenida Liberdade highway through the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 summit raises environmental concerns over deforestation and habitat disruption.

In preparation for the COP30 climate summit scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, the government is constructing the Avenida Liberdade, a 13.2 km four-lane highway cutting through protected Amazon rainforest areas. The project aims to improve infrastructure to accommodate an estimated 50,000 attendees, including world leaders and delegates. Despite incorporating environmental features such as wildlife crossings, bicycle lanes, and solar-powered lighting, the highway’s construction has sparked controversy due to its ecological impact. Satellite imagery has revealed significant deforestation along the highway’s path, raising concerns about habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. Environmentalists argue that the project contradicts the summit’s objectives of promoting sustainability and combating climate change. The highway’s development highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure expansion and environmental conservation in the Amazon region.