To address the issue, the United Nations on Tuesday launched a new global initiative for the integrity of climate change information in partnership with UNESCO, the organization’s educational and scientific bodies, and the Brazilian government.
The joint venture was announced during the G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil. It aims to strengthen research and solutions to combat misinformation that delays or derails climate action.
During a session on sustainable development and energy transition at the G20 summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the initiative would “work with researchers and partners to strengthen action against climate misinformation.”
“Coordinated disinformation campaigns are hindering global progress on climate change,” he said in a social media post.
Time is passing
Scientists are repeatedly warning that Earth has very little time left. In this scenario, this initiative will help mobilize immediate support for climate action.
“We must combat the concerted disinformation campaigns that impede global progress on climate change, from blanket denial to ‘greenwashing’ to harassment of climate scientists,” the UN secretary-general said.
The effort aims to expand the scope of research on climate change and its impacts, and gather evidence from around the world to strengthen strategic action, advocacy and communication.
Speaking at the event, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said that “without access to reliable information, we will never be able to overcome this existential challenge.”
The role of the press
Emphasizing the important role of journalists in demanding accountability from various stakeholders, including business and government, Audrey Azoulay said the press is “a bridge between science and society” – a bridge that is sorely “needed”.
“Through this initiative, we will support journalists and researchers who research climate issues, often at great risk to themselves, and combat climate disinformation spread on social media,” he said.
The initiative is a result of the resolution on the ‘Global Digital Compact’, which was adopted by UN member states at the Future Summit in September.
It encouraged UN agencies in collaboration with governments and stakeholders to assess the impact of misinformation and confusion on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Climate Solutions
Signatory countries will contribute to the UNESCO-administered fund, which aims to raise an initial $1 to $15 million over the next 36 months.
This money will be distributed to the NGOs in the form of grant for action.
This will also include research on climate data integrity, development of communication strategies and public awareness campaigns.
So far Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, Britain and Sweden have been confirmed to participate.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva said, “Action to combat climate change is greatly hampered by denial and confusion. No country can tackle this problem alone.”
“Under this initiative, in preparation for COP30 in Brazil, a network of countries, international organizations and researchers will be established for joint efforts to combat confusion and promote action.”
Rapid expansion
Climate disinformation is spreading rapidly, especially through social media, messaging apps and generative AI.
According to UNESCO, this is having serious implications: it makes it difficult to build consensus among scientists, hampers the authorities’ ability to respond effectively to crises, and compromises the safety of journalists and environmentalists working on the front lines.
The risks posed by misinformation to achieving climate targets are also reflected in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) analysis.
A 2022 IPCC analysis states that “deliberately sidelining science” “undermines climate risk and urgency and breeds confusion, uncertainty and disagreement about the scientific consensus.”