Climate disinformation: what EU policymakers need to know and do

This briefing provides practical guidance for EU policymakers facing climate disinformation across areas such as energy policy, infrastructure, disaster response and geopolitics. It explains how misleading narratives can weaken public support for climate action, undermine emergency preparedness, delay policy implementation and erode trust in institutions. The briefing frames information integrity as a prerequisite for effective climate governance at local, national, European and international levels.

The key takeaway is that public authorities should address climate disinformation before, during and after misleading narratives spread. The briefing calls for targeted strategic communication, stronger monitoring of climate narratives, integration of information integrity into policymaking and crisis response, and greater transparency around advertising, lobbying, funding and commercial influence. It also recommends reducing financial incentives for harmful content, supporting independent journalism and media pluralism, and implementing existing regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Services Act.