Paris, December 12, 2025 – In a striking demonstration marking the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Greenpeace activists dyed the iconic Place de l’Étoile red. The protest, which took place on Friday, aimed to highlight the perceived lack of progress and governmental inaction on climate goals since 2015.
A Decade of ‘Climate Sabotage’
According to reports from Le Parisien, activists unfurled banners across the roundabout, with one prominently declaring, “10 years of climate sabotage.” This message underscored their frustration with the slow pace of environmental policy implementation and the failure to meet the ambitious targets set a decade ago.
The action commenced around 11:15 AM, witnessed by an AFP journalist. Activists, joined by members of other environmental organizations, utilized vehicles to spread red paint – described by them as containing “natural pigments” – across the cobblestones surrounding the Arc de Triomphe. Traffic continued to flow on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées during the demonstration, which dispersed upon the arrival of law enforcement.
The Unattainable 1.5°C Goal
This anniversary arrives at a critical juncture, as the primary objective of the Paris Agreement – to limit global warming “well below 2°C” and strive for 1.5°C – appears increasingly out of reach in the short term. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other prominent figures have echoed this alarming assessment. The most recent COP, held in November in Brazil, concluded with modest commitments that notably omitted any mention of fossil fuels in its final resolutions.
“Spectacular Actions” to Raise Awareness
“We need to do spectacular things to attract the attention of journalists, people, and the state,” stated Jason Temaui Man, a Polynesian climate activist participating in the action, as quoted by Le Parisien. This powerful visual protest reflects a growing public frustration with climate inaction and seeks to galvanize greater awareness and commitment from global leaders.
The demonstration by Greenpeace serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for more decisive and impactful measures to combat climate change, especially as the world grapples with the escalating effects of a warming planet. The activists’ bold statement at one of Paris’s most recognizable landmarks aims to reignite the debate and pressure governments to accelerate their efforts towards a sustainable future.
