Rio de Janeiro/Baku – In a groundbreaking move, Brazil, in partnership with the United Nations and UNESCO, launched a global initiative to combat the rising tide of climate disinformation. Announced at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the “Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change” marks the first multilateral effort to tackle this critical issue.
“In the fight for survival, there is no room for denialism or disinformation,” declared Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “Brazil will continue working with the UN and UNESCO on this vital initiative.”
This sentiment was echoed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who stressed the urgency of combating “coordinated disinformation campaigns impeding global progress on climate change.” He emphasised the initiative’s role in strengthening action against disinformation, ranging from outright denial to greenwashing and harassment of climate scientists.
The initiative has garnered significant international support, with Chile, France, Denmark, Morocco, Sweden, and the UK already joining the coalition. European Parliament members have also voiced their strong approval.
“Misinformation in the climate debate not only undermines the global fight against climate change – it delays vital action,” warned Christel Schaldemose, MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament. “It is only through international cooperation that we can make the future greener and safer.”
Kira Peter-Hansen, MEP and Vice-President of the Greens, added, “Climate disinformation erodes trust in science, weakens public support for environmental action, and delays climate solutions. This initiative is an important step forward in safeguarding the truth.”
The initiative aims to hold digital platforms accountable for the spread of climate disinformation, ensuring a safe and trustworthy digital environment. Brazil is advocating for democratic regulation of these platforms to curb disinformation and hate speech while supporting independent journalism and protecting climate action and human rights defenders.
“This is a great beginning to a critical conversation,” commented Alexandra Geese, MEP for Greens/EFA Group. “Brazil’s leadership in tackling the spread of climate disinformation is a welcome and much-needed step forward.”
UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the importance of reliable information in combating climate change: “Without access to reliable information about climate disruption, we can never hope to overcome it. Through this initiative, we will support the journalists and researchers investigating climate issues.”
Brazilian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, emphasized the crucial link between information integrity and effective climate action: “If information is one of the most precious public goods in general for the contemporary world, it becomes indispensable in the face of climate change. After all, the integrity of information about its effects and consequences is also a way to protect and save lives. It is one of the means through which we can adequately confront denialism, largely expressed by the global far-right, especially on issues of health and climate change. A true threat to life, science, and civilization.”
To further bolster this effort, a dedicated financial support fund spearheaded by UNESCO aims to raise between $10 million and $15 million. These funds, contributed by participating countries and other donors, will be managed by a Steering Committee comprising various UN organizations, including the UNFCCC, to determine investment priorities.
This initiative comes as a direct response to growing calls from leaders in the climate and information integrity movement. With the backing of the UN, UNESCO, a growing coalition of countries, and a dedicated funding mechanism, it represents a significant step towards international collaboration and tangible action against this urgent threat. By addressing the issue within the G20 framework and advocating for platform accountability, Brazil’s initiative marks a promising start in the fight for a more informed and sustainable future.
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