Climate Misinformation Found in French and Brazilian Mainstream Media

A few weeks before COP 30, a coalition of watchdog organizations has revealed alarming findings about climate misinformation spreading through France’s mainstream media outlets. The comprehensive analysis conducted by Data For Good, QuotaClimat, and Science Feedback identified 529 cases of climate misinformation in French audiovisual media between January and August 2025.

The report distinguishes between misinformation—instances with no demonstrated intent to deceive—and disinformation, which includes deliberately false or misleading claims that risk misinforming the public about established climate science. Researchers cataloged 19 distinct climate disinformation narratives that directly contradict the scientific consensus outlined in IPCC reports.

The analysis reveals clear patterns in how climate misinformation spreads. Notably, these incidents spike during politically charged events such as Donald Trump’s electoral victory, debates about Low Emission Zones, and discussions on France’s Multiannual Energy Programming. Extreme weather events also trigger waves of misinformation.

“What’s particularly concerning is that over 90 percent of identified cases relate to transition solutions,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. Of these, 70 percent specifically target renewable energy technologies, while 10 percent focus on mobility solutions and 9 percent question France’s role in global climate action.

The research exposes significant disparities between public and private broadcasters. Public channels demonstrate considerably more editorial discipline, with six times fewer instances of climate disinformation compared to their private counterparts. Among general-interest outlets, Sud Radio, Europe 1, and RMC emerged as the most problematic platforms.

The frequency of misinformation is particularly striking at certain outlets. Sud Radio broadcasts one case approximately every 40 minutes of climate-related programming, while CNEWS averages one case every hour. More troubling still is that 46 percent of misinformation cases on private networks come directly from journalists or commentators rather than external guests.

Meanwhile, Brazil presents a different media landscape regarding climate coverage. The country’s outlets devote roughly half the airtime to climate issues compared to France, with economic development typically prioritized in public discourse. This lower volume of climate coverage corresponds to fewer instances of misinformation, though September 2025 saw a notable surge in cases.

Brazilian climate misinformation centers on three primary themes: agriculture and deforestation, COP 30 and climate action, and electric vehicles versus bioethanol. As Brazil prepares to host COP 30, mentions of the conference accounted for 12 percent of all climate-related media coverage in August 2025.

The report identifies several key actors behind these disinformation campaigns. High-emission industries—including fossil fuels, automotive, energy, and agriculture—feature prominently, alongside far-right political groups and foreign interference operations. In Brazil, evangelical networks were also found to amplify climate misinformation.

Structural factors compound the problem, including financial pressures on newsrooms that reduce specialized environmental reporting and limit editorial oversight. The report cites specific examples linking misinformation campaigns to identifiable sources, including a narrative connecting renewable energy to rising electricity prices that originated from a U.S.-affiliated think tank network.

In response to these findings, a legislative solution is gaining momentum in France. Deputy Stéphane Delautrette, with support from a cross-partisan coalition of nearly 100 lawmakers, has proposed a bill to regulate climate disinformation. The coalition behind the report has endorsed this approach, describing it as “a proportionate response to the threat—provided it is examined promptly.”

The organizations recommend a three-pronged approach: targeted training for journalists on recognizing climate misinformation, stronger protections for independent media, and regulatory frameworks to counter the most harmful disinformation narratives. As COP 30 approaches, the report’s authors warn that without swift action, climate disinformation could further undermine public understanding at a critical moment for global climate policy.