The Brazilian government is preparing to host the world’s largest climate summit uniquely – by chopping down tens of thousands of acres of the Amazon jungle for a new highway. The city of Belém, more than 1500 miles away from Rio de Janeiro,

A new road is being built by cutting down thousands of protected Amazon rainforest acres for the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.

As reported by the BBC, the state government of Pará cleared out eight miles of Amazon rainforest to build the highway. The BBC’s article has pictures of the clear-cut forest floor where logs have been piled up along a stretch of road that will soon hold concrete and passing cars.

The climate conference doesn't begin until November but controversy is already swirling, according to the BBC.

A BBC report found on Wednesday that tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazonian rainforest are being cleared ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

Brazilian officials said the highway is sustainable with wildlife crossings for animals to use and solar lighting.

Climate Summit in Brazil's Amazon rainforest is facing intense criticism for the way it is handling the event. Thousands of trees at the heart of the "Earth's lungs" have been chopped down to make way for attendees,