Greta Thunberg, the teenage environmental activist, arrived in Madrid on Friday morning to participate in a march in the Spanish capital, which is currently hosting the United Nations climate summit known as COP25.
The Swedish 16-year-old traveled by train from Lisbon and pulled into Atocha station at 8.40am, honoring her self-imposed ban on air travel because of its carbon emissions.
Traveling with her were around 30 journalists from several countries sent to cover the young campaigner’s journey. Thunberg opted for the train after turning down several alternative offers to make the trip by electric car, and even by donkey.
The Lusitania sleeper train covered the 210 kilometers separating the Portuguese and Spanish capitals in 10 hours, and used a diesel engine after crossing the border at Salamanca province, making the journey less than completely green.
Thunberg’s agenda in Madrid includes a news conference at the cultural center La Casa Encendida. She will then take part in the climate march scheduled to begin at 6pm in Atocha that will end at Nuevos Ministerios in Chamberí, where several government buildings are located.
Madrid is hosting the COP25 international climate conference after Chile canceled due to violent street unrest.
English version by Susana Urra.