Brazil is under scrutiny for its decision to clear the Amazon rainforest to construct a highway for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém. The controversial move, which involves building a supposedly sustainable road equipped with solar-powered lighting and wildlife crossings, has drawn criticism from locals and environmental organizations concerned about its environmental impact. Critics argue that the deforestation for the highway directly contradicts the summit’s overarching objective of addressing climate change. The construction of the highway has sparked a debate on the balance between development and environmental conservation in Brazil, a country known for its rich biodiversity and crucial role in global climate regulation. The controversy surrounding this project highlights the challenges faced by policymakers in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. The concerns raised by activists and residents underscore the need for a more comprehensive and ecologically sensitive approach to infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive areas like the Amazon rainforest. The outcome of this debate is likely to have far-reaching implications for Brazil’s environmental policies and its international reputation as a steward of the world’s largest tropical rainforest.