Climate Denial and Disinformation: A Threat to Global Progress on Climate Change

Strategic Insights -

As the UN climate summit in Brazil approaches, a concerted effort is underway to counter the disinformation and climate denial that has hindered ambitious climate action. The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change aims to expose the tactics of fossil fuel companies, which have been accused of using deception to block climate policies and delay the energy transition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has launched a "disinformation playbook" to delay climate action, echoing tactics from the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Fossil fuel companies have been accused of "manufacturing uncertainty" about climate science and blocking climate policies, using tactics similar to the tobacco industry's denial of smoking's health impacts.
  • Over 1,770 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, outnumbering country delegations.
  • Four of the world's largest oil and gas majors accounted for 98% of advertising spending on climate disinformation ads in the lead-up to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.
  • A coordinated pushback against climate disinformation is emerging, with the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change and the Climate Action Against Disinformation coalition working to counter contrarianism and greenwashing.
  • Climate lies are being replicated in the media globally, with a spike in unchallenged climate disinformation in French media following the Trump administration's return to power.
  • The climate disinformation requires transparency and accountability, with media and Big Tech being asked to screen "harmful false content" about climate.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,770 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • Four of the world's largest oil and gas majors accounted for 98% of advertising spending on climate disinformation ads in the lead-up to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, up to $5 million (E4.3 million).
  • Instances of climate deception in French media tripled in the first eight months of 2025.
  • The world is set to produce over double the fossil fuels in 2030 that would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5C, as reported in the latest Production Gap Report.

Sources:

  • The Union of Concerned Scientists, a US-based science advocacy nonprofit.
  • The Climate & Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
  • The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change.
  • QuotaClimat, a French climate NGO.
  • The Production Gap Report.
  • Climate Action Against Disinformation coalition.