Brazil, Canada, Chile — 13 countries sign global deal to tackle climate disinformation at COP30

Thirteen countries have signed a new declaration aimed at combating climate disinformation and promoting the integrity of information on climate change.

The “declaration on information integrity on climate change” was launched at the ongoing COP30 in Brazil by the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change.

The pact aims to strengthen global cooperation against the spread of false or misleading narratives that undermine climate action.

The declaration commits governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote transparency, protect journalists and researchers working on environmental issues, and ensure that public information on climate change is accurate and evidence based.

Countries that endorsed the declaration include Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, Belgium, and two other members.

Speaking on Wednesday in Belém, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said climate change “is no longer a threat of the future; it is a tragedy of the present”.

He added that the world now lives “in an era where obscurantists reject scientific evidence and attack institutions,” noting that “it is time to deliver yet another defeat to denialism.”

António Guterres, the United Nations (UN) secretary-general, in a statement ahead of the event, called for stronger action against misinformation, online harassment, and greenwashing.

“Scientists and researchers should never fear telling the truth,” Guterres said.

“Through this initiative, governments and organisations are working together to promote information integrity on climate issues.”

Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), said the declaration would help strengthen the work of journalists and researchers who face growing risks when covering climate issues.

“Without access to reliable information about climate disruption, we can never hope to overcome it,” Azoulay said.

The declaration emphasises that access to consistent, reliable, and science-based information is essential for building public trust, ensuring accountability, and mobilising action to address the climate crisis.

It also calls on governments to fund research on climate information integrity — particularly in developing countries — and urges the private sector to commit to transparent, responsible communication and advertising practices.

The Global Initiative said the move reflects growing recognition that climate disinformation is one of the biggest threats to effective global action, warning that false narratives continue to erode public confidence and slow progress toward a sustainable future.

This report was produced with support from Sahara Group and the Kaduna state government.