New UN Initiative Aims to Counter Climate Disinformation

UN, UNESCO, and Brazilian Government Launch Global Initiative for Climate Change

• The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, launched by the UN, UNESCO, and the Brazilian government, aims to combat climate disinformation.
• The initiative will strengthen research and measures to address all disinformation that delays or derails climate action.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need to combat coordinated disinformation campaigns impeding global progress on climate change.
• The initiative will gather evidence from around the world to inform and bolster strategic action, advocacy, and communications.
• UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the role of journalists in demanding accountability from diverse stakeholders.
• Countries signing on will contribute to a UNESCO-administered fund, with a goal of raising an initial $10 to $15 million over the next 36 months.
• Countries participating include Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.
• Climate disinformation, particularly on social media, messaging apps, and generative AI, undermines scientific consensus, obstructs authorities’ response, and threatens the safety of journalists and environmental defenders.