Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change
Trust in scientific knowledge is the foundation of urgent climate action by governments and citizens. Nevertheless, the discredit of evidence is distorting public perception and weakening science-based policies. Information ecosystems should deliver informed choices, freedom, privacy, and safety for all, while supporting all those working to share reliable information in the public interest, as well as the vulnerable or marginalized voices often bearing the brunt of disinformation and hate campaigns.
UNESCO, the Government of Brazil, and the UN, established the Global Initiative on Information Integrity on Climate Change to contribute to investigating, exposing, and dismantling disinformation related to climate change, as well as the socialization of the results of the research.
Structured through a Global Fund, an Institutional Agenda, and Campaigns on Climate Change, the Initiative addresses the need for policies that protect information integrity, safeguard those reporting on climate issues, and support the development of informed global climate action.
Through open calls for proposals, not-for-profit entities are being funded to conduct in-depth research, communicate, and report accurately on climate change. Furthermore, entities will form a first-of-its-kind global and interdisciplinary network to socialize findings and reveal climate mis/disinformation’s evolving mechanisms and produce actionable recommendations for innovative policies worldwide.
UNESCO, the UN, the Government of Brazil, new and founding countries, and the Advisory Group ensured information Integrity's pivotal role for climate action.
Reach out if your entity wants to fund combating climate change disinformation.
A partnership between UNESCO, the UN Secretariat and the Brazilian Government
Bringing together countries, international organizations, and stakeholders worldwide, it safeguards information integrity on climate change and promotes climate action.
Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO’s Director-General
Get involved
If your entity wants to contribute to the Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change and support accurate information and combating climate change disinformation, contact us at:
Countries that have joined the Initiative
Contribute to a Fund to ensure information integrity on climate change
Donors can contribute to the initiative by signing an agreement with UNESCO to support the Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Contributions can be financial, in-kind, or through strategic partnerships that align with the initiative’s objectives.
A Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) ensures that research and investigative journalism are truly independent and globally coordinated. By pooling resources from multiple donors, the fund creates a message of neutrality, transparency, and independence, reinforcing the credibility of the research and actions it supports. This approach also allows for greater coherence, efficiency, and impact on a global scale.
The MPTF follows UNESCO’s financial and governance standards, ensuring that contributions are fully traceable, independently audited, and transparently managed. Regular reporting is provided to donors, and an oversight mechanism guarantees funds are used effectively.
This is a multi-year initiative, and donors can pledge funds for several years. The fund is initially set up for three years, and contributions do not have to be made as a single one-time payment. Instead, funding can be distributed over the three-year period, allowing for more strategic and sustained support.
Funds will be allocated to research on information integrity and climate change, addressing issues of mis/disinformation. It will also contribute to resilience frameworks and public awareness campaigns and outreach. The initiative will also support proposals from non-profit organizations.
This initiative aims to enhance public trust in climate science, reduce the spread of mis/disinformation, strengthen policy responses, and support free and independent journalism. By ensuring universal access to accurate climate information, it contributes to stronger climate governance and informed decision-making.
This initiative directly supports commitments under the Rio Declaration, the Escazú Agreement, the Aarhus Convention, the Global Digital Compact, and the UN Global Principles on Information Integrity and UNESCO’s Guidelines for the governance of digital platforms. It also reinforces the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13 and SDG 16.10.2) by ensuring access to climate information and promoting freedom of expression.
In addition to financial support, donor countries and organizations can host high-level events, contribute expertise, support research collaborations, and engage in advocacy efforts to promote climate information integrity worldwide.
The Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change is designed to support proposals exclusively from non-profit organizations.
Advisory group
An Advisory Group comprised of national, regional and global organizations working on the issue of climate change and information integrity advises on critical issues for the success of the Initiative.
Initiative's reach
For the first time in a Conference of the Parties (COP), “information integrity” is listed along with other key areas for climate action in its final agreed documents. The COP30’s Outcomes Report highlights The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change activities before and during COP30 (page 54), and commitments made under the PAS for Information Integrity (page 55).
As part of the final political package's documents, this draft decision defines "promoting information integrity” to restore trust and hope in the fight against climate change.
The landmark Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change was launched at COP30, establishing shared international commitments to address climate disinformation and promote accurate, evidence-based information on climate change issues. The Declaration commits signatories to promote the integrity of information related to climate change at international, national and local levels, in line with international human rights law and the principles of the Paris Agreement.
The Statement encourages "all relevant stakeholders to join the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, co-chaired by the Government of Brazil, UNESCO and the United Nations, underlining the central connection between access to information and information integrity".
The Addis Ababa Declaration on Media, Climate, Peace, Security, and Justice, calls to "Endorse the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change and invite AU organs, Regional Economic Communities and Member States to collaborate through it, including by joining its calls for partnerships and using its Global Fund to support evidence-based communications and investigative work."
The High-Level Meeting "Democracy Always," gathered the Presidents of Chile, Brazil, Spain, Uruguay, and Colombia to reaffirm their commitment to defending democracy, multilateralism, and working together to address the root and structural causes that undermine our democratic institutions, their values, and legitimacy. Among the agreed initiatives, it was highlighted the reinforcement of the United Nations and UNESCO Global Initiative for Climate Change Information Integrity.
G20 members, invited countries, international organizations and participants from the civil society and the private sector had the opportunity to review the current stage of global discussions on information integrity at the DEWG side event “Promoting information integrity: combating disinformation, hate speech and threats to public institutions online”. During that event, Brazil’s presidency announced the “Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change”.
