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Climate Misinformation Surges as COP30 Climate Talks Begin in Brazil
Climate misinformation has spiked dramatically as the COP30 UN climate talks opened Monday in Belém, Brazil, with a 267% increase in misleading content related to the conference between July and September alone.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had warned of “extremist forces” spreading climate falsehoods ahead of the summit. During pre-conference meetings, he called for decisive global action: “We need a roadmap to plan a just way to undo deforestation, overcome fossil fuels, and mobilize the resources needed for those aims.”
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) brings together world leaders annually to negotiate agreements on climate mitigation, financing, and adaptation strategies. This year’s summit in the Amazon region comes as digital disinformation campaigns intensify across social platforms.
A new report from Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) and the Observatory for Information Integrity found that COP-related keywords appeared alongside negative terms like “disaster,” “joke,” and “failure” approximately 14,000 times in recent months.
“This report exposes big carbon and big tech’s grand illusion that makes us underestimate public support for climate action, making us feel like the battle is over,” explained Philip Newell, CAAD communications co-chair, in an interview with Forbes. “But we may just be winning, because of progress that is being made all over the world.”
Researchers have identified sophisticated techniques being used to spread climate disinformation. Many false claims now appear in professional-looking scientific graphics that deliberately mimic legitimate research.
“Much of this content borrows the look and feel of science: technical graphs, neutral colors, and data-heavy visuals that give an aura of objectivity, even when the message itself is misleading,” researcher Petter Törnberg told Anthropocene magazine. “Many of these posts look like they come straight out of a research paper or a report from a climate conference. But they twist or cherry-pick data to cast doubt on established science.”
In Brazil, the host country, disinformation efforts have specifically targeted the conference and key political figures. The Observatory for Information Integrity’s “Oii” newsletter has documented numerous examples, including a completely AI-generated video showing a fictional flood in Belém that triggered thousands of angry comments against both local politicians and the climate conference itself.
Another false claim about Brazil’s environmental regulations spread over 1,300 times on social media before the country’s congress voted to weaken standards via what critics call the “Devastation Bill” – described as the most significant environmental policy setback since Brazil’s military dictatorship era.
Digital attacks have also targeted Brazil’s First Lady, Janja da Silva, with a 150% increase in negative posts after false reports claimed she would be a COP30 spokesperson. These attacks continue a pattern of online harassment that began during her involvement with hunger and poverty initiatives at the November 2024 G20 summit.
A U.S. delegation of more than 100 leaders is participating in COP30, including state governors, mayors, and other officials. The delegation is led by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, America Is All In managing co-chair Gina McCarthy, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. No representatives from the Trump administration are attending.
The U.S. participants are focused on reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement goals and sharing local climate solutions that reduce energy costs, create jobs, and cut pollution. However, they face the additional challenge of combating sophisticated climate misinformation beyond just presenting facts.
Meanwhile, grassroots activism is also visible at the conference. The Cúpula dos Povos Boat Parade, arriving tomorrow, will bring over 200 vessels carrying nearly 5,000 participants from 60 countries. The flotilla includes representatives from the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Indigenous Environmental Network, and Climate Justice Alliance working in solidarity with local communities.
These activists aim to highlight community-led environmental solutions such as agroecology and sustainable livelihoods while opposing infrastructure projects they see as threatening the Amazon, its rivers, and indigenous lands.
As COP30 proceeds, the battle against climate misinformation represents a critical challenge alongside the formal negotiations, with both the credibility of climate science and the political will for meaningful action at stake.
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18 Comments
Concerning to see climate disinformation campaigns intensifying ahead of COP30. We need a robust public understanding of the science and urgency to make real progress on mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Agreed. Spreading misinformation to undermine climate action is highly irresponsible and detrimental to global efforts.
It’s disheartening that COP-related keywords are being used alongside such negative terms. We need to amplify the positive momentum and solutions-focused dialogue, not undermine it.
Agreed. Disinformation tactics that sow doubt and defeatism only serve to delay the urgent action required to address the climate crisis.
The report highlights a concerning trend. I hope world leaders will take strong, coordinated steps to counter climate disinformation and restore public trust in the COP process.
Yes, a unified, fact-based response is crucial. Ignoring or downplaying the problem will only embolden those spreading misinformation.
This is a worrying trend that could undermine public understanding of the urgent need for climate action. I hope the COP30 summit can rise above the disinformation and deliver concrete progress.
Yes, it’s critical that the COP30 negotiations stay focused on developing effective, evidence-based solutions, not get bogged down in misleading rhetoric.
As someone with an interest in mining and energy, I’m particularly concerned about the potential impact of climate disinformation on public understanding of the energy transition. Accurate information is key.
Absolutely. Misinformation could undermine support for the critical mineral supplies and infrastructure needed to scale up renewable energy and decarbonize industries.
As an investor, I’m closely watching how the COP30 talks unfold and how they might impact mining, energy, and related sectors. Reliable information will be crucial for making informed decisions.
Agreed. Investors need clear, unbiased data to assess the risks and opportunities presented by the energy transition and evolving climate policies.
I’m curious to see how Brazil’s new leadership will approach the COP30 summit and tackle climate misinformation. Their commitment to “a just way to undo deforestation” will be closely watched.
Yes, Brazil’s stance on this issue is crucial given its role as host. Decisive action to address deforestation and fossil fuel dependence could set an important precedent.
It’s frustrating to see bad-faith actors trying to derail progress on climate action. But I’m hopeful that the COP30 negotiations can still deliver meaningful outcomes despite the disinformation challenge.
Me too. With strong leadership and a commitment to facts, the global community can overcome these attempts to sow discord and inaction.
The surge in misleading content is quite alarming. World leaders must call out and counter these deceptive tactics to ensure the COP30 negotiations can focus on tangible solutions.
Absolutely. Disinformation campaigns erode public trust and make it harder to enact the necessary policies. Transparency and fact-based dialogue are critical.