EU Takes Stand Against Climate Disinformation with Landmark Declaration

The European Union has officially endorsed a landmark declaration aimed at combating climate disinformation, joining efforts to address the growing challenge of false information in climate debates.

The Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, initially launched during last year’s COP30 summit in Belém, represents what officials describe as a “firm commitment” to factual debate, climate science, and evidence-based policymaking in environmental discussions.

Prior to the EU’s formal endorsement on January 20, 2026, fifteen member states had already individually backed the initiative, including Belgium, Germany, and Spain, signaling strong regional support for tackling climate misinformation.

The move comes at a critical time when Europeans are increasingly struggling to identify reliable climate information. According to the 2025 Eurobarometer survey on climate change, over half of Europeans (52 percent) believe traditional media fails to provide clear information on climate issues, while nearly half (49 percent) report difficulty distinguishing trustworthy climate content on social media platforms.

“We’re living in a world where the threat of climate change is becoming ever more urgent and, at the same time, where alternative truths, confrontation and disinformation abound,” said Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for climate, net zero and clean growth. “This is cause for concern. Informed public debates where we listen and look at the science are so essential if humanity is going to effectively tackle the climate crisis.”

Climate disinformation specifically refers to the intentional spread of false or misleading information about climate change and climate action, including outright denial and conspiracy theories. This differs from climate misinformation, which involves false or out-of-context information presented as fact without necessarily having deliberate intent to mislead.

In conjunction with the declaration, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for climate action has launched a new campaign called #ClimateFactsMatter, designed to help citizens identify and combat climate disinformation. The initiative aims to equip people with the skills to recognize common tactics used to spread climate falsehoods.

The campaign highlights several key strategies for spotting climate disinformation. One common technique is selective data presentation, where information is cherry-picked to distort the overall picture. The campaign encourages checking multiple trusted sources, with resources like EuroClimateCheck publishing regular updates on climate disinformation identified by European fact-checking organizations.

Another tactic involves the use of “fake experts.” A recent investigation by Press Gazette uncovered approximately 1,000 articles in British media attributed to non-existent or AI-enhanced “experts,” underscoring how easily false authority can be established in public discourse.

The EU initiative also warns against “emotional traps” that use loaded language to trigger immediate emotional responses. Campaign materials advise readers to pause and verify claims that provoke strong anger or fear before accepting or sharing them.

Claims of “quick fixes” for climate change represent another red flag, according to the campaign. Given that addressing climate change requires complex, systemic changes and a transition away from fossil fuels, solutions presented as simple or effortless should be viewed skeptically.

The rise of artificial intelligence has further complicated the information landscape. The campaign notes that AI-generated fake imagery has become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent online, advising users to scrutinize suspicious images by zooming into details or using reverse image search tools.

The EU’s endorsement of the declaration reflects growing concern about the impact of climate disinformation on public understanding and policy support during a crucial period for climate action. By providing citizens with tools to navigate the increasingly complex information environment, authorities hope to strengthen the foundation for evidence-based climate discussions across the continent.