Global Initiative on Climate Integrity to Support Urgent Climate Action as Scientists Warn Time is Running Out G20 Summit: Brazil, UN, UNESCO Launch Global Initiative on Climate Integrity Climate & Environment
The Brazilian government, the United Nations and UNESCO announced on Tuesday the launch of a joint initiative to strengthen research and action on disinformation that undermines efforts to combat climate change.
The Global Initiative for Climate Integrity aims to support urgent climate action as scientists warn time is running out.
“Climate action is seriously hampered by denial and disinformation. Countries cannot do this alone. This initiative will bring together countries, international organizations and academia to support joint efforts to combat disinformation and prepare for COP30 in Brazil,” President Lula da Silva said at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Although the Initiative was initially discussed within the G20, it is being created as a separate multilateral collaboration between countries and international organizations to fund research and action to ensure climate integrity. Countries will contribute to a fund managed by UNESCO, with the goal of raising between $10 million and $15 million over the next 36 months. The funds will be distributed to non-governmental organizations to support their work on research, communications strategies, and information campaigns. So far, Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and Sweden have confirmed their participation.
“We must combat coordinated disinformation campaigns that are hindering global progress on climate change, including outright denial, greenwashing, and the persecution of climate scientists. “Through this Initiative, we will work with researchers and partners to step up the fight against climate disinformation,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Initiative is a response to the commitments made in the Global Digital Compact adopted by UN Member States in September.
“Without access to reliable information on the climate crisis, we will never be able to overcome it. Through this Initiative, we will support journalists and researchers who study climate issues, sometimes at great risk to themselves, and combat climate disinformation spreading on social media,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.