Tens of thousands of acres of the Amazon rainforest are being cut down to make way for a four-lane highway in preparation for the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil in November 2025. The road construction has sparked outrage from locals and environmental groups, despite government claims that it is a sustainable project with eco-friendly features such as bike lanes, solar power, and animal crossings. The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon, but deforestation releases carbon back into the atmosphere, potentially turning the rainforest into a carbon source rather than a sink.

The COP summits have faced criticism for their lack of significant environmental protection measures. World leaders often travel to the summit in private jets, contributing to carbon emissions, and the conferences have typically overlooked the environmental impact of animal agriculture, which has been identified as the most environmentally damaging industry. At past COP summits, high-emission foods like beef, lamb, and dairy have been widely available, while plant-based options are limited, further undermining the goal of promoting sustainability and environmental protection.