CLIMATE DISINFORMATION EMERGES AS GLOBAL THREAT; COUNTRIES SIGN COP DECLARATION

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, 13 countries signed the first-ever Declaration of Information Integrity on Climate Change, aiming to combat false narratives that undermine scientific consensus and slow climate action. Experts warn that climate disinformation, fueled by fossil fuel companies, think tanks, political groups, and social media influencers, is sophisticated, pervasive, and delays progress on global climate solutions. ClientEarth highlighted that misinformation not only distorts debates but can worsen the real-world impacts of extreme weather by hindering emergency response. In the Philippines, youth climate advocate Charles De Luna noted that false narratives persist even in communities directly affected by typhoons, misleading some to dismiss the role of fossil fuel emissions in climate disasters. Officials and advocates stressed that tackling disinformation is crucial for safeguarding communities, ensuring effective climate policies, and maintaining political will at global climate negotiations.