Imagine trying to solve a pressing problem, but someone keeps feeding you false information that slows you down and distracts you. That's exactly what's happening in the fight against the climate crisis. New report from The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) reveals that The massive spread of climate misinformation is turning the climate crisis into a disasterThese false claims not only complicate but directly limit and delay climate action.

Where does disinformation come from and how does it spread?

Researchers in the Ipie report, which systematically reviewed 300 studies, identified key actors spreading false and misleading information:

• Fossil fuel companies: These companies are committing a “double fraud.” First, deny the reality of climate change, they hide their responsibility and obstruct climate action. They then use “greenwashing” – misleading marketing practices to present themselves as environmentally sustainable businesses.
• Right-wing politicians and some states: They play a significant role in blocking climate action. The report identifies Donald Trump, who has called climate science a “giant fraud,” as a key influencer. In the European context right-wing populist parties like the AfD in Germany, Vox in Spain and the National Association in France “actively go against climate science”.
• Online bots and trolls: These automated and fake users massively amplify false narratives and play a key role in promoting climate lies. Russian secret services even use troll farms to spread disinformation about climate change.
• Conservative think tanks and media: Dr. Klaus Jensen of the University of Copenhagen, who co-led the Ipie review, said that "The alliances of industry and conservative think tanks are really targeting disinformation at key decision-makers"Media outlets with conservative or right-wing political ideologies prioritize and amplify denial, skepticism, and conspiracy theories regarding climate change.
• Other sectors: The report says that climate misinformation has also been promoted by other industries, including US energy companies, livestock production, airlines, tourism and fast food.

The consequences and why is it such a problem?

Climate misinformation, whether intentional or unintentional, is a growing problem. "If we don't have the right information, how will we vote for the right causes and politicians, and how will politicians translate clear evidence into necessary action?" asks Dr. Jensen. False claims, such as those that renewable energy caused the recent massive power outages in Spain, undermine confidence in the solutions.

We have about five years to halve emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2050Without the right information, we will not achieve these goals. Disinformation undermined public trust in climate science and other key societal institutions, thereby intensifying and worsening the climate crisis.

How can we combat this problem?

There are efforts to address this widespread issue:

• Criminalization of disinformation and greenwashing: The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, called for criminalization of disinformation and greenwashing by the fossil fuel industryBrazil, host of the upcoming Cop30 climate summit, will support a UN initiative to counter climate disinformation.
• Social media regulation: The report proposes measures to combat disinformation, including regulation to improve content moderation by social media companies such as EU Digital Services Act.
• Education: Improved climate education would, in the long term, enable citizens to identify disinformation.
• Standardized emissions declarations: Requiring fossil fuel companies to publish standardized declarations about their emissions.
• International efforts: The UN is leading an international effort called Global Initiative for Climate Change Information Integrity.

Combating climate disinformation is key to successfully addressing the climate crisis. It is essential that we have access to accurate information and are able to recognize false narratives so that we can act together before the crisis truly turns into an unavoidable disaster. Spring