25/11/2024
Brazil, in partnership with the UN and UNESCO, is launching a multilateral initiative to combat disinformation and promote information integrity, with a specific focus on climate change.
This marks the first time governments, in partnership with the UN, are addressing climate disinformation at a multilateral level. It represents a new era of international cooperation on this critical issue within the G20 framework. The Climate Information Integrity Initiative already includes six countries: Brazil, Chile, Morocco, Denmark, Sweden, and the UK, with others expected to join.
Key Objectives of the Initiative:
- International Collaboration: The initiative highlights the pressing need for international cooperation to tackle the rising threat of disinformation to climate action.
- Platform Accountability: It seeks to hold digital platforms accountable for spreading climate disinformation and ensure they foster a safe and trustworthy digital environment.
- Democratic Regulation of Digital Platforms: Brazil is advocating for democratic oversight of the information ecosystem to curb disinformation and hate speech.
- Support for Independent Journalism: The initiative aims to bolster independent journalism and safeguard climate activists and human rights defenders.
The initiative, titled the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, addresses the critical challenge of disinformation, identified by the IPCC as a barrier to achieving climate goals. UNESCO will administer a fund of $10–15 million to support NGOs conducting research, developing communication strategies, and raising public awareness. Seven nations, including Chile and France, have committed to the initiative, with others being invited to participate. This global effort aligns with the UN’s Global Digital Compact, adopted in September.
Highlights from the Launch
The official launch of the initiative was marked by a series of high-profile events. A press conference was held on Monday, 18 November, in Brazil. The Brazilian President also emphasised the initiative in his closing remarks at the G20 Summit. Another press conference followed on Tuesday, 20 November, in Baku, Azerbaijan, at COP29, alongside a dedicated side event at the WWF Pavilion in Baku on the same day.
A Promising First Step
This initiative directly responds to growing demands from leaders in the climate and information integrity movements to combat the harmful effects of climate disinformation. With the backing of the UN and UNESCO, alongside a coalition of participating nations, it represents a significant step towards international collaboration and tangible action on this urgent threat. By tackling the issue within the G20 framework and advocating for platform accountability, Brazil’s initiative signals a promising beginning in the fight for a more informed and sustainable future.
Tackling disinformation is crucial to sustaining climate action momentum. UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the necessity of countering coordinated campaigns, from denialism to greenwashing, while UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called for the protection of journalists who investigate climate issues. The initiative also lays the groundwork for COP30 in Brazil, aiming to promote trustworthy climate communication worldwide.
G20’s Commitment to Tackling Disinformation
The G20 Brazil Communiqué (Item 29) recognises the significant role of digital platforms in the dissemination of information and acknowledges the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of technology, particularly in the context of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. The G20 emphasises the need for digital platforms to operate with transparency and accountability, adhering to relevant policies and legal frameworks. The Communiqué reaffirms the commitment of G20 members to collaborate with platforms and stakeholders to address these critical issues and ensure a safer, more trustworthy digital environment.