Climate Misinformation Evolves as COP30 Approaches

As Belém prepares to host COP30, scientists and global leaders are raising alarms about a new wave of climate misinformation threatening international climate action. What was once outright denial of climate change has morphed into something more insidious: targeted attacks on renewable energy solutions and misrepresentations of climate agreements.

The sophistication of this misinformation marks a strategic shift. Rather than denying climate change exists, these campaigns now focus on undermining confidence in sustainable solutions like solar and wind energy—technologies that form the backbone of the global energy transition. Experts warn this approach aims to delay meaningful decarbonization efforts and erode trust in international climate frameworks.

“This is about creating confusion and doubt where the science is actually clearer than ever,” said one climate communication expert who tracks misinformation trends. “The goal is to slow implementation of solutions we already know work.”

The Paris Agreement has become a prime target for these misleading narratives. Physicist Paulo Artaxo from the University of São Paulo explains that a common misrepresentation circulating on social media and in political rhetoric suggests the Earth temporarily exceeding the 1.5°C threshold in 2024 means the agreement has failed.

“Momentarily exceeding the threshold means nothing for the Paris Agreement, because the temperature that counts is the decadal climatological average and not that of an isolated year,” Artaxo clarifies. He emphasizes the 1.5°C target represents a consensus benchmark, not an absolute line of success or failure.

Climate scientists stress that every fraction of a degree matters, with direct consequences for vulnerable populations and the frequency of extreme weather events. Even if warming temporarily surpasses 1.5°C, limiting the increase to around 2°C would still represent significant progress compared to more catastrophic scenarios of 2.5°C or higher.

Renewable energy technologies face particularly aggressive misinformation campaigns. Claims about the supposed “inefficiency” of solar panels and “high costs” of wind turbines directly contradict economic and scientific evidence. In reality, solar and wind have become the most cost-effective sources of electricity globally.

The renewable energy sector reached a historic milestone in 2025 when combined wind and solar production surpassed coal generation for the first time, cementing renewables as the world’s primary sources of electrical power. This transformation has been driven by remarkable technological advances—solar installation costs have plummeted by 90% over the past 15 years, while wind turbines have become increasingly efficient and affordable.

One persistent myth promoted by figures including former U.S. President Donald Trump suggests wind turbines cause devastating impacts on wildlife, particularly birds. Scientific data tells a different story. In the United States, studies identify domestic cats (2.4 billion bird deaths annually), building collisions (600 million), and vehicle strikes (200 million) as the leading causes of avian mortality. Wind turbines account for approximately 1.2 million bird deaths—still concerning, but significantly lower than other human-related threats.

The wind industry has responded with technological solutions including detection sensors, operational pauses during migration periods, and strategic placement of turbines away from known flight paths.

Solar energy faces similar disinformation challenges despite becoming the primary source of new electricity generation worldwide. The technology accounted for 83% of the increase in global electricity demand in 2025. Modern silicon photovoltaic panels already achieve 25% efficiency, with next-generation technologies expected to reach 37% within a decade.

Contrary to claims about land use impacts, studies indicate that meeting global energy needs with solar would require just 0.3% of the Earth’s land area, with most countries having sufficient available space for implementation, including dual-use installations combining energy production with agriculture.

As COP30 approaches, organizers recognize that combating climate misinformation will be as crucial as securing emissions commitments. The conference presidency plans to prioritize scientific communication, awareness campaigns, and highlighting the concrete achievements of the energy transition.

“Without accurate information reaching policymakers and the public, even the most ambitious climate agreements will struggle to gain necessary support,” said a spokesperson for the upcoming climate summit. “Transparency and evidence-based discussions must be at the heart of our global climate debate.”