93 Experts+Orgs in Open Letter: Governments Should Curb Climate Disinformation

Baku, Azerbaijan – November 14, 2024 – As world leaders gather for COP29 climate negotiations in Baku, with the G20 Summit in Brazil fast approaching, a group of 51 organizations and 42 climate & information integrity experts are calling for action to address climate disinformation. 

This call to action comes as Brazil, the host of the upcoming G20 Summit, is spearheading a global initiative with the UN , aiming to counter misinformation and disinformation that hinder climate action. This initiative is expected to be officially announced at the G20 Summit on November 19th and 20th.

The open letter, signed by a diverse range of organisations, including Avaaz, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), Reporters Sans Frontières, E3G, Purpose, ClimaInfo, FALA, Observatório do Clima, Rede Nacional de Combate à Desinformação, WWF-Brazil and renowned experts from institutions such as Ivy League universities and the IPCC, including John P. Holdren, Michael Mann, Ed Maibach, Thelma Krug, and Geoffrey Supran, highlights the urgent need for governments to:

• Acknowledge the threat: Publicly recognize climate disinformation as a major obstacle to effective climate action and policy.

• Adopt a universal definition: Establish a clear and consistent definition of climate disinformation that encompasses deceptive tactics used to undermine climate science and action.

• Hold platforms accountable: Push social media companies, advertising technology providers, and publishers to implement concrete measures to prevent the spread of climate disinformation and promote information integrity. This includes increasing transparency, preventing monetization of disinformation, and addressing the impact of emerging technologies like AI.

The letter emphasises the importance of adopting the UN’s Global Principles for Information Integrity to foster a healthier online environment that supports informed decision-making and enables effective climate action.

About the Open Letter:

This open letter is a joint effort by a global coalition of organisations and experts dedicated to combating climate disinformation. The signatures include leading educational, climate, and information integrity organisations, with strong representation internationally and from Brazil, and members of the Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) coalition, as well as renowned climate scientists and information integrity experts.

Open Letter and List of Signatures – ENG / PT-BR