Tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets of Brussels on Sunday to mark the start of the UN climate summit in Poland.

Organisers said the event was the biggest climate march ever in Belgium, with 65,000 protesters braving steady drizzle, according to police.

The well-mannered crowd was filled with activists and many families, with children holding placards asking politicians to fight harder to assure a greener future.

Speaking through a blow-horn, activist Evert Nicolai of Oxfam Action urged leaders to do what was needed towards fighting climate change.

"Politicians where are you? You have to be with us, the people. There is no planet B," Nicolai said.

The march, dubbed Claim The Climate, ended with speeches and performances at the Parc Cinquantenaire that overlooks the European Union institutions.

Public transport throughout the city was free on Sunday for the occasion and the SNCB national train service offered a cut-rate ticket of five euros.

Trains from other Belgian cities were packed with protesters, with many complaints on social media that the SNCB had not adequately anticipated the surge in travellers.

The protest was timed for the launch of the COP24, the UN climate summit where officials from 200 nations will aim to boost efforts to avert runaway climate change.</s>Around 65,000 people braved rain and wind to take part in the "Claim the Climate" demonstration through central Brussels on Sunday, Belgian police said.

The climate rally, which organizers called the biggest in Belgium's history, followed similar weekend marches in Berlin and Cologne.

Holding banners with slogans including "There is no planet B" and "Climate First, Politics Second," the protesters urged delegates meeting at the COP24 climate conference in Katowice, Poland, to set more ambitious targets to limit carbon emissions.

Read more: Opinion: The brave optimism at COP24

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries are attending the two-week long United Nations summit, which aims to flesh out a rule book for implementing the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

The pact set the goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Scientists say sticking to that target will involve a dramatic shift away from fossil fuels such as coal. The burning of coal, oil and natural gas emits a large share of greenhouse gases causing climate change.

Read more: Crunch time for the climate at the COP24 global warming conference

Not far from the COP24 venue in Katowice, Polish anti-coal campaigners held their own, smaller protest on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Slovakia, a court ordered 12 Greenpeace activists to be held in pre-trial detention after they displayed protest banners on a tower at a coal mine in the western town of Novaky.

The protesters, who are from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Finland and Belgium, could face prison terms of up to five years if convicted, Greenpeace said.

Read more: Africans expect real action on climate change at COP24

Every evening, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.</s>Tens of thousands of demonstrators have marched in Brussels on Sunday under the banner "Claim the Climate" to urge the Belgian government to honor its commitments to combat climate change prior to world leaders meeting in Poland to discuss the future of the 2015 Paris climate accord.

The march took place in the aftermath of violent clashes in Paris where the so-called yellow vest protest against a rise in fuel prices left a toll of more than 100 people injured and over 400 under arrest.</s>Police said that 65,000 people marched through Brussels, Belgium, on December 2, demanding action on climate change. The march was to mark the start of the 24th United Nations Climate Change Convention in Poland. The conference was to have a special focus on carbon neutrality. Credit: Phil Meert via Storyful</s>Police said that 65,000 people marched through Brussels, Belgium, on December 2, demanding action on climate change. The march was to mark the start of the 24th United Nations Climate Change Convention in Poland. The conference was to have a special focus on carbon neutrality. Credit: En finir avec les poignées d’amour via Storyful</s>BRUSSELS (AP) — Police and hundreds of yellow jacket protesters upset over high taxes and living costs clashed Friday in Brussels. Dozens were detained as the grassroots movement that started in France two weeks ago gained traction in Belgium.

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons on protesters, who threw rocks and paving stones after they were blocked from approaching government buildings and offices in Brussels.

"Our officers started to use water cannons after they began throwing objects. They were throwing pool balls," said Brussels city police spokeswoman Ilse Van De Keere, estimating that over 300 people were involved in the clashes.

A riot police cordon charged protesters after they attacked two police vehicles, overturning one and setting both alight. Road signs were uprooted and traffic lights smashed.

Around 60 people were charged with disturbing public order. Many were carrying objects that police considered to be dangerous, including razor blades, tire levers and pepper spray, she said. Some were detained for having gas, ski and diving masks.

The Brussels prosecutors' office said one person was detained for carrying a weapon and a second for willfully causing damage, while a third was being questioned by police over alleged drug offenses. It said an investigation has been opened into the torching of the police vehicles.

Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted: "all my support to forces of law and order which ensure our safety and guarantee our freedom. No impunity for the inadmissible violence in Brussels. Thugs and pillagers should be punished."

His interior minister, Jan Jambon, lamented in a tweet what he described as "incomprehensible violence toward the police, which does its best to protect citizens and society. Scandalous."

Earlier, dozens of protesters wearing the movement's high visibility vests blocked city streets, sometimes with pieces of scaffolding, causing traffic chaos along major roads. Some handed out vests to bystanders and people stuck in cars.

As they marched, some protesters chanted "We are the people!" and held up placards marked: "Union is Strength" and "Shame on the Police."

Michel has said he is willing to talk with some of their leaders, but it was not immediately clear whether any meeting had taken place.

Protest roadblocks were also in place near the city of Charleroi, 60 kilometers (38 miles) south of Brussels.

It's unclear exactly who the protesters are. Small rallies and roadblocks have been going on in the French-speaking south of Belgium for about two weeks. Some appeared linked to high fuel prices, seen as the cause of the protest movement in neighboring France.

Belgian media say many are out in the streets over high taxes and food prices, low wages and pensions, but some question whether the movement is being exploited by far-left and far-right groups.</s>BRUSSELS (AP) — Police and hundreds of yellow jacket protesters upset over high taxes and living costs clashed Friday in Brussels. Dozens were detained as the grassroots movement that started in France two weeks ago gained traction in Belgium.

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons on protesters, who threw rocks and paving stones after they were blocked from approaching government buildings and offices in Brussels.

"Our officers started to use water cannons after they began throwing objects. They were throwing pool balls," said Brussels city police spokeswoman Ilse Van De Keere, estimating that over 300 people were involved in the clashes.

A riot police cordon charged protesters after they attacked two police vehicles, overturning one and setting both alight. Road signs were uprooted and traffic lights smashed.

Around 60 people were charged with disturbing public order. Many were carrying objects that police considered to be dangerous, including razor blades, tire levers and pepper spray, she said. Some were detained for having gas, ski and diving masks.

The Brussels prosecutors' office said one person was detained for carrying a weapon and a second for willfully causing damage, while a third was being questioned by police over alleged drug offenses. It said an investigation has been opened into the torching of the police vehicles.

Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted: "all my support to forces of law and order which ensure our safety and guarantee our freedom. No impunity for the inadmissible violence in Brussels. Thugs and pillagers should be punished."

His interior minister, Jan Jambon, lamented in a tweet what he described as "incomprehensible violence toward the police, which does its best to protect citizens and society. Scandalous."

Earlier, dozens of protesters wearing the movement's high visibility vests blocked city streets, sometimes with pieces of scaffolding, causing traffic chaos along major roads. Some handed out vests to bystanders and people stuck in cars.

As they marched, some protesters chanted "We are the people!" and held up placards marked: "Union is Strength" and "Shame on the Police."

Michel has said he is willing to talk with some of their leaders, but it was not immediately clear whether any meeting had taken place.

Protest roadblocks were also in place near the city of Charleroi, 60 kilometers (38 miles) south of Brussels.

It's unclear exactly who the protesters are. Small rallies and roadblocks have been going on in the French-speaking south of Belgium for about two weeks. Some appeared linked to high fuel prices, seen as the cause of the protest movement in neighboring France.

Belgian media say many are out in the streets over high taxes and food prices, low wages and pensions, but some question whether the movement is being exploited by far-left and far-right groups.</s>BRUSSELS (AP) — Police and hundreds of yellow jacket protesters upset over high taxes and living costs clashed Friday in Brussels. Dozens were detained as the grassroots movement that started in France two weeks ago gained traction in Belgium.

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons on protesters, who threw rocks and paving stones after they were blocked from approaching government buildings and offices in Brussels.

"Our officers started to use water cannons after they began throwing objects. They were throwing pool balls," said Brussels city police spokeswoman Ilse Van De Keere, estimating that over 300 people were involved in the clashes.

A riot police cordon charged protesters after they attacked two police vehicles, overturning one and setting both alight. Road signs were uprooted and traffic lights smashed.

Around 60 people were charged with disturbing public order. Many were carrying objects that police considered to be dangerous, including razor blades, tire levers and pepper spray, she said. Some were detained for having gas, ski and diving masks.

The Brussels prosecutors' office said one person was detained for carrying a weapon and a second for willfully causing damage, while a third was being questioned by police over alleged drug offenses. It said an investigation has been opened into the torching of the police vehicles.

Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted: "all my support to forces of law and order which ensure our safety and guarantee our freedom. No impunity for the inadmissible violence in Brussels. Thugs and pillagers should be punished."

His interior minister, Jan Jambon, lamented in a tweet what he described as "incomprehensible violence toward the police, which does its best to protect citizens and society. Scandalous."

Earlier, dozens of protesters wearing the movement's high visibility vests blocked city streets, sometimes with pieces of scaffolding, causing traffic chaos along major roads. Some handed out vests to bystanders and people stuck in cars.

As they marched, some protesters chanted "We are the people!" and held up placards marked: "Union is Strength" and "Shame on the Police."

Michel has said he is willing to talk with some of their leaders, but it was not immediately clear whether any meeting had taken place.

Protest roadblocks were also in place near the city of Charleroi, 60 kilometers (38 miles) south of Brussels.

It's unclear exactly who the protesters are. Small rallies and roadblocks have been going on in the French-speaking south of Belgium for about two weeks. Some appeared linked to high fuel prices, seen as the cause of the protest movement in neighboring France.

Belgian media say many are out in the streets over high taxes and food prices, low wages and pensions, but some question whether the movement is being exploited by far-left and far-right groups.</s>BRUSSELS (AP) — Police and hundreds of yellow jacket protesters upset over high taxes and living costs clashed Friday in Brussels. Dozens were detained as the grassroots movement that started in France two weeks ago gained traction in Belgium.

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons on protesters, who threw rocks and paving stones after they were blocked from approaching government buildings and offices in Brussels.

"Our officers started to use water cannons after they began throwing objects. They were throwing pool balls," said Brussels city police spokeswoman Ilse Van De Keere, estimating that over 300 people were involved in the clashes.

A riot police cordon charged protesters after they attacked two police vehicles, overturning one and setting both alight. Road signs were uprooted and traffic lights smashed.

Around 60 people were charged with disturbing public order. Many were carrying objects that police considered to be dangerous, including razor blades, tire levers and pepper spray, she said. Some were detained for having gas, ski and diving masks.

The Brussels prosecutors' office said one person was detained for carrying a weapon and a second for willfully causing damage, while a third was being questioned by police over alleged drug offenses. It said an investigation has been opened into the torching of the police vehicles.

Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted: "all my support to forces of law and order which ensure our safety and guarantee our freedom. No impunity for the inadmissible violence in Brussels. Thugs and pillagers should be punished."

His interior minister, Jan Jambon, lamented in a tweet what he described as "incomprehensible violence toward the police, which does its best to protect citizens and society. Scandalous."

Earlier, dozens of protesters wearing the movement's high visibility vests blocked city streets, sometimes with pieces of scaffolding, causing traffic chaos along major roads. Some handed out vests to bystanders and people stuck in cars.

As they marched, some protesters chanted "We are the people!" and held up placards marked: "Union is Strength" and "Shame on the Police."

Michel has said he is willing to talk with some of their leaders, but it was not immediately clear whether any meeting had taken place.

Protest roadblocks were also in place near the city of Charleroi, 60 kilometers (38 miles) south of Brussels.

It's unclear exactly who the protesters are. Small rallies and roadblocks have been going on in the French-speaking south of Belgium for about two weeks. Some appeared linked to high fuel prices, seen as the cause of the protest movement in neighboring France.

Belgian media say many are out in the streets over high taxes and food prices, low wages and pensions, but some question whether the movement is being exploited by far-left and far-right groups.</s>BRUSSELS (AP) — Police and hundreds of yellow jacket protesters upset over high taxes and living costs clashed Friday in Brussels. Dozens were detained as the grassroots movement that started in France two weeks ago gained traction in Belgium.

Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons on protesters, who threw rocks and paving stones after they were blocked from approaching government buildings and offices in Brussels.

"Our officers started to use water cannons after they began throwing objects. They were throwing pool balls," said Brussels city police spokeswoman Ilse Van De Keere, estimating that over 300 people were involved in the clashes.

A riot police cordon charged protesters after they attacked two police vehicles, overturning one and setting both alight. Road signs were uprooted and traffic lights smashed.

Around 60 people were charged with disturbing public order. Many were carrying objects that police considered to be dangerous, including razor blades, tire levers and pepper spray, she said. Some were detained for having gas, ski and diving masks.

The Brussels prosecutors' office said one person was detained for carrying a weapon and a second for willfully causing damage, while a third was being questioned by police over alleged drug offenses. It said an investigation has been opened into the torching of the police vehicles.

Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted: "all my support to forces of law and order which ensure our safety and guarantee our freedom. No impunity for the inadmissible violence in Brussels. Thugs and pillagers should be punished."

His interior minister, Jan Jambon, lamented in a tweet what he described as "incomprehensible violence toward the police, which does its best to protect citizens and society. Scandalous."

Earlier, dozens of protesters wearing the movement's high visibility vests blocked city streets, sometimes with pieces of scaffolding, causing traffic chaos along major roads. Some handed out vests to bystanders and people stuck in cars.

As they marched, some protesters chanted "We are the people!" and held up placards marked: "Union is Strength" and "Shame on the Police."

Michel has said he is willing to talk with some of their leaders, but it was not immediately clear whether any meeting had taken place.

Protest roadblocks were also in place near the city of Charleroi, 60 kilometers (38 miles) south of Brussels.

It's unclear exactly who the protesters are. Small rallies and roadblocks have been going on in the French-speaking south of Belgium for about two weeks. Some appeared linked to high fuel prices, seen as the cause of the protest movement in neighboring France.

Belgian media say many are out in the streets over high taxes and food prices, low wages and pensions, but some question whether the movement is being exploited by far-left and far-right groups.
At least 65,000 people gather in Brussels, Belgium, in a march for more action on protecting the climate.