What is climate disinformation?
Climate disinformation is the deliberate spread of false or misleading information about climate change. It is manufactured to cause doubt, delay action, or protect vested interests.
Types of disinformation include:
- Denying science: by falsely claiming that climate change is not real or not caused by human activity.
- Distorting facts: by misrepresenting data and downplaying risks.
- Manipulating public debate: by creating misleading narratives that ignore or minimise climate action’s long-term benefits for people and the planet.
Where does climate disinformation come from?
Climate disinformation can come from many sources and take many forms, depending on the intended audience.
Influencers, trade associations, advocacy organisations and think tanks have all waged sophisticated and well-funded campaigns in an attempt to derail climate action and influence public perception and policy in ways that align with their financial, geopolitical or ideological interests.
The efforts of the fossil fuel industry to deny, derail and delay climate action are well-documented. Since the 1970s, big oil has suppressed evidence that the burning of fossil fuels has devastating impacts on the health of our planet using a network of lobbyists, PR companies, consultants and individuals to push misleading or false narratives relating to the climate crisis.
What is climate misinformation?
Misinformation is when inaccurate and incorrect information is spread by someone who doesn’t realise that it is false.
Examples of misinformation include individuals spreading outdated research, misinterpreting scientific findings, or sharing content from unreliable or badly informed sources.
Countering disinformation requires lasting investment in building societal resilience and media and information literacy
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
How is C40 tackling disinformation?
Disinformation is amplified through social media and certain news outlets. C40 and our partners are highlighting, calling out and countering disinformation, both online and in the media.
In the face of geopolitical turmoil, increasingly polarised politics and rising levels of disinformation, there are many challenges for national governments and global institutions to implement climate action.
As cities work to protect their communities and reduce climate risks, disinformation creates confusion and divisions. It makes it harder to achieve the collective action needed. False narratives – whether about emissions, solutions, or the urgency of the issue – can delay essential climate measures and hinder cities’ climate progress.
C40 will continue to champion courageous decision-making by our mayors, cities and governments. We will challenge the disinformation spread by those with vested interests in delaying progress.
By sharing best practices, making and demanding investments, and pioneering new policies, we can keep residents safe and cities resilient. We are committed to tackling disinformation and delivering bold, inclusive climate action for people and the planet.
How does disinformation affect cities, mayors and residents?
Cities are increasingly becoming battlegrounds where opponents of climate action are exploiting societal polarisation and weaponising disinformation on climate.
To counter this, it’s vital to mobilise public support and create broader local alliances around climate policies. To do this successfully requires inclusive and equitable decision-making. It also requires comprehensive public engagement and local coalition-building strategies to ensure that benefits are visible, public opinion and political support are mobilised, and disinformation is countered.
Increasingly, to deliver climate action, mayors need to overcome attempts from those who continue to profit from fossil fuels to delay their efforts and spread confusion and disinformation about what is needed to achieve a thriving, climate-safe future for everyone.
Building strong public support for climate action through credible and inclusive policies that share benefits and costs equitably – and through the collective mobilisations built around them – will be critical not only for our mayors but for everyone striving to avoid climate breakdown.