Climate Activists Paint Brandenburg Gate in Call for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out by 2030

Berlin, Germany – Climate activists in Berlin took their message to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks on Sunday, painting the columns of the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate with orange and yellow paint. Their demand: a complete end to the use of fossil fuels by the year 2030.

The individuals behind this striking protest are members of “Letzte Generation” (“Last Generation”). However, Berlin’s police force intervened to prevent further damage to the historic monument.

According to the police, the group used fire extinguishers filled with orange paint to spray the columns on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate during the morning hours.

In their efforts to maintain order, the police observed the use of a hydraulic lift, which prevented the protestors from climbing the landmark. Ultimately, 14 protestors were arrested at the site, and an investigation was launched to assess the extent of the damage to the property.

Activists Make Bold Statement

Letzte Generation, based in Germany, is part of the European A22 network, which includes Britain’s Just Stop Oil. This network gained notoriety in Germany recently for staging hundreds of roadblocks where protestors glued themselves to the road.

The recent Brandenburg Gate action prompted increased law enforcement activity across German federal states.

On social media platform X, Letzte Generation shared pictures of the spray-painted Brandenburg Gate, accompanying them with the message, “We will not cease our protest until significant change begins. We must phase out oil, natural gas, and coal no later than 2030.”

Germany’s Climate Goals and Missed Targets

Germany has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. However, the country has fallen short of its annual emissions reduction targets for the past two years.

While the protestors’ message is clear, the path to achieving these climate goals remains a complex and ongoing challenge.

Reuters contributed to this report.