Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change
The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change is a joint partnership between the Brazilian Government, the and UNESCO.
Bringing together countries, international organizations, and stakeholders worldwide, it aims to promote and defend information integrity on climate change, address disinformation, and enhance climate change awareness and action. It includes a global fund which will finance research into disinformation on climate change and initiatives to promote information integrity.
“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, sometimes at great risk to themselves, and fight the climate-related disinformation running rampant on social media.”
“We must fight the coordinated disinformation campaigns impeding global progress on climate change, ranging from outright denial to greenwashing to harassment of climate scientists. Through this Initiative, we will work with researchers and partners to strengthen action against climate disinformation.”
“Actions to combat climate change are also greatly affected by denialism and disinformation. Countries cannot tackle this problem individually. This initiative will bring together countries, international organizations, and networks of researchers to support joint efforts to combat disinformation and promote actions in preparation for COP30 in Brazil."
Countering environmental disinformation
As the risks of climate change become increasingly evident worldwide, the need for reliable and accurate information is more crucial than ever. Recent research has shown a dramatic rise in disinformation related to the environmental crisis, spreading at an alarming rate through social media, messaging apps, and generative AI. This has several serious impacts: it undermines scientific consensus around climate change, its consequences and causes, and obstructs the authorities' ability to respond effectively to the crisis. The rise in disinformation about environmental issues also threatens the safety of journalists and environmental defenders working on the frontlines.
The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change aims to produce and gather evidence on the impact of disinformation on climate issues. Structured through a Global Fund, an Institutional Agenda, and Campaigns on Climate Change, the Initiative addresses the need for policies that protect information integrity, safeguard those reporting on climate issues, and support the development of informed global climate action.
Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change
To foster programmatic coherence and optimize impact, A Global Multi-donor Fund for the Integrity of Information on Climate Change will be created to fund networked, in-depth research that will contribute to exposing and dismantling disinformation related to climate change, as well as the dissemination of the results of the research.
Supported through the voluntary contributions of interested partners, the Fund will be managed and implemented by UNESCO, as a Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
Through the Global Fund, like minded partners will be able to pool resources to support the integration of international research collectives to address gaps and respond to challenges posed by the increasing levels of disinformation to the full exercise of freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights.
From global commitment to action on the ground
The Global Initiative seeks to set information integrity on climate change in the international institutional agenda, positioning it as a specific issue of concern, establishing specific goals to be attained, and proposing common lines of action for the attainment of these goals.
The members of the Global Initiative will make a public commitment to making information integrity on climate change a key policy issue and working together with their peers to promote this agenda at the international level. The Initiative will also seek to support its members and other countries in their efforts to address disinformation related to climate change, adopt collective diplomatic approaches where appropriate and, when relevant, make collective statements on the issue.
Campaigns for Information Integrity on Climate Change
The Global Initiative supports and strengthens existing communication campaigns on climate change to mitigate and counter climate disinformation. It also advances ongoing advocacy and communication efforts to enhance the integrity of information environments globally.
Objectives
- Expose and dismantle climate-related disinformation through targeted research, strategic advocacy and diplomacy.
- Promote information integrity on climate change in the international institutional agenda and establish specific goals as well as common lines of action.
- Strengthen global information integrity and tackle disinformation by supporting public communications campaigns, civil society and scientific groups worldwide, and engaging key audiences and stakeholders.
Countries that have joined the initiative
Advisory Group
Information on Advisory Group Members
Climate Action Against Disinformation
Climate Action Against Disinformation joined to amplify our pioneering work for ensuring climate information integrity, uniting movements and exposing root causes. We'll contribute our expertise in building robust mechanisms, fostering collaboration, and empowering organizations to ensure climate information integrity for informed action.
Conscious Advertising Network
Conscious Advertising Network believes it is vital that the economic incentives behind the global information ecosystem are deeply understood by all stakeholders. Transparent and accountable supply chains in the advertising and media industries are essential to ensure information integrity. Experts in climate information integrity and advertising ACT Climate Labs can provide strategic comms advice to the steering committee and in assessing applications for funding.
Forum on Information and Democracy
We are thrilled to join and support the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, a unique opportunity to bridge two critical discussions for the future of humanity. The Forum on Information and Democracy will bring its unique vision for the information space, a wide range of already existing policy frameworks, as well as its robust networks within civil society, academia and the policy makers in the 55 signatory countries of the International Partnership for Information and Democracy
I4T Knowledge Global Network
World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization is a science-based organization, and its credibility relies on accurate, evidence-based information. Misinformation can distort public perception, delay policy decisions, and weaken support for necessary climate measures. By joining the initiative, WMO reinforces its commitment to scientific integrity and trusted communication. WMO seeks to promote accurate information, protect public trust, and ensure early warnings are not only accurate, but understood, and acted upon.
Get Involved
If your entity wants to contribute to the Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change and support accurate information and combating climate change disinformation, contact us at infointegrityclimate@unesco.org
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