Denmark, Finland and Sweden are among 12 nations who have signed the first-ever Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change. The signatories pledge to fight back against the flood of false content and protect those on the frontlines of truth: environmental journalists, scientists and researchers.
The declaration, unveiled under the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change at COP30 in Brazil, calls for concrete steps to dismantle networks of climate lies and shield evidence-based voices from harassment and attacks.
The Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change, created under the initiative, has already attracted 447 proposals from nearly 100 countries. Backed by an initial $1 million from Brazil, the fund is supporting its first round of projects – almost two-thirds from developing nations.
First time on COP agenda
This is the first time that the topic of information integrity has been included in the COP Action Agenda.
In his opening address at the conference, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the importance of combating denialism. “In the era of disinformation, obscurantists reject not only scientific evidence but also the progress of multilateralism. They control algorithms, sow hatred, and spread fear. They attack institutions, science, and universities. It is time to once again defeat the denialists,” he said.
The document calls on endorsing countries to promote the integrity of information related to climate change at the international, national, and local levels, in accordance with international human rights law, including standards on freedom of expression. They also pledge to support the sustainability of a diverse and resilient media ecosystem to ensure accurate and reliable coverage of climate and environmental issues.
Signed by 12 countries
At a press encounter to discuss the initiative, on the margins of the COP30 in Belem, Brazil, the United Nations Senior Adviser on Information Integrity, Charlotte Scaddan, said, “purveyors of climate disinformation don’t simply deny climate change. They undermine climate action by attacking researchers, scientists, and journalists personally; by questioning the scientific consensus around climate change and creating false narratives around climate solutions.”
The declaration has already been endorsed by 12 countries: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay.
