Belém Declaration: A new standard for truthful climate reporting

The integrity of climate change information represents an approach to consistent, reliable and evidence-based data, which are essential for raising public awareness and building trust in climate policies. Without accurate information, there is no it is possible to mobilize society – from citizens to large businesses – to take the decisive actions needed to tackle the climate crisis.

This article discusses in detail the objectives and obligations arising from Global Initiative for Climate Change Information Integrity, which was supported at the COP 30 summit in Belém.

Challenges of the information age and the climate crisis

Contemporary society faces growing threats that are weakening the foundations of public debate. According to sources, the biggest obstacles to finding collective solutions are:

  • Misinformation and misinformation: The deliberate spread of false news undermines society's ability to understand the urgency of the situation.
  • Denial of science: Systematic questioning of scientific facts delays necessary measures.
  • Attacks on experts: Targeted attacks on environmental journalists, scientists and researchers threaten the global response to climate change and societal stability.

These factors not only reduce public understanding, but directly threaten the safety of those who report on climate issues.

Global commitments and legislative framework

The initiative builds on key documents such as Paris Agreement a Global Digital Pact of 2024. The signatories of the declaration commit to supporting the integrity of information at all levels, emphasizing respect for human rights and freedom of expression.

Support is a key pillar a resilient media ecosystem. This includes policies that ensure accurate reporting and increase transparency in advertising to prevent the funding of disinformation campaigns.

The role of governments and the private sector

To achieve real change, the declaration calls on various actors to take specific steps:

Actor Main responsibilities
Governments Create legal frameworks to protect journalists and scientists; ensure access to public environmental data.
Private sector Implement ethical business practices; ensure transparency in advertising.
Technology companies Assess how platform architecture contributes to the spread of disinformation; provide data to researchers.
Academic community Cooperate internationally and share best practices, especially with partners from developing countries.

Funding and support for education

The urgency of the situation also requires financial resources. It was established Global Fund for Climate Change Information Integrity, managed by UNESCO. This fund is intended to support projects at both local and international levels that promote truthful climate information.

An important part is also media literacy and public education. The right to access reliable information is seen as a fundamental tool that enables citizens to become active participants in the climate transition.

Information integrity is not just a technical issue, but shared responsibility for the future of the planet. By ensuring that societies around the world have access to the facts, we can accelerate the action needed to mitigate the climate crisis. The Belém Declaration, signed by countries such as Brazil, Canada, Germany and the Czech Republic, remains open to other signatories who want to contribute to a healthier information environment. JRi&CO2AI 

 

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