As the COP29 conference concluded with widespread criticism over weak agreements on climate finance, a significant yet overlooked issue emerged: the rampant misinformation surrounding climate change. Amidst the discussions, an open letter led by Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD), which gathered support from over ninety experts and organizations, urged governments to urgently address the growth of climate misinformation. This appeal gained urgency in light of warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) regarding the detrimental effects of misinformation on climate action, yet COP29 largely neglected this pressing matter, omitting it from its official agenda.
Misinformation surrounding climate change poses a global threat that distorts critical narratives, misrepresents the benefits of renewable energy, and undermines established climate science. Countries around the world are grappling with this issue. In Latin America, false narratives misattributed to extreme weather events have spread misleading information, while a coordinated misinformation campaign in Taiwan has targeted renewable energy initiatives. In the United States, misinformation about clean energy projects continues to flourish, and in the UK, some politicians have openly amplified climate denial and resisted essential climate policies. The prevalence of these false narratives raises a crucial question: how can meaningful solutions be implemented if public trust in science and policy is continually jeopardized?
The consequences of climate misinformation are severe, often leading to a distortion of public understanding regarding climate issues and diminishing support for urgent action. Research highlights that misinformation not only reduces climate literacy but also heightens societal polarization. When the public discourse is fragmented due to misleading narratives, achieving consensus on necessary and ambitious climate measures becomes increasingly difficult. This polarization can also provoke hostility against experts and officials advocating for climate policies. For example, certain county councillors in Oxfordshire received abusive threats after conspiracy theories inaccurately labeled a traffic reduction initiative as a “climate lockdown.” Such incidents illustrate how misinformation can incite fear and retaliation against those striving to promote sound climate policies.
Moreover, the relationship between misinformation and policymaking is reciprocal; not only can misinformation undermine effective public policies, but poorly designed policies can also exacerbate the spread of misleading information. Effective and transparent policy formulation should be based on scientific evidence and take into account community needs. A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policies. However, misaligned or inadequately communicated policies can create fertile ground for misinformation, as evidenced by the backlash former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced after delaying crucial net-zero policies. His defense of those decisions as “pragmatic” was countered by experts who argued they were based on false premises, which in turn fueled misinformation narratives.
Sunak’s decisions triggered a significant increase in climate misinformation online. A recent analysis by CAAD of social media posts revealed that the former Prime Minister’s policy changes led to a spike in content calling for the scrapping of net-zero efforts, further distorting public understanding of climate issues. This situation highlights how ineffective policies can amplify misleading narratives, creating a vicious cycle where misinformation flourishes due to poorly communicated or evidence-free decisions. To address this cycle, it is imperative for policymakers to rely on rigorous evidence and ensure transparent communication regarding their decisions to build public trust.
In light of these alarming trends, it is crucial for governments to take a leading role in combating climate misinformation. The real-world harm of misinformation not only erodes support for evidence-based policies but also fosters hostility towards climate advocates. Progress on reducing emissions and advancing climate finance can only be achieved with a robust plan to address misinformation. Governments must confront climate mis-and disinformation as a formidable threat to climate action. A notable initiative announced at the G20 Summit, which aims to counter misinformation through international collaboration, exemplifies how concerted efforts can combat false narratives. Countries such as the UK, Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, and Sweden are already on board, signaling a growing recognition of the issue’s importance.
To build on this momentum, the CAAD urges governments to adopt a universal definition of climate disinformation and hold social media companies accountable for their role in the misinformation ecosystem. The urgency to act against climate misinformation cannot be overstated; it is imperative that governments recognize the stakes at play and take decisive action to prevent misinformation from delaying essential climate measures. The window for impactful action is narrowing, and time is of the essence in the fight against both climate change and the misinformation that hampers our collective efforts.