CLIMATE MIS-/DISINFORMATION BACKGROUNDER

The document provides a comprehensive framework for understanding climate mis- and disinformation, detailing how a coordinated 'counter-movement' of fossil fuel interests and conservative actors uses tactics like greenwashing, astroturfing, and science denial to obstruct political action. It distinguishes between misinformation (unintentional) and disinformation (deliberate) and highlights the role of social media 'mis-/disinfluencers'. To counter these trends, the briefing recommends systemic platform policies, government regulation, and psychological interventions such as prebunking and debunking.

• The Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) coalition defines climate mis-/disinformation as content that undermines the IPCC scientific consensus and Paris Climate Agreement goals, misrepresents data to erode trust in experts, or falsely presents warming-contributing efforts as supportive of climate goals.
• Climate mis-/disinformation is categorized into contrarian claims—such as denying global warming or its human cause—and 'discourses of climate delay,' which acknowledge climate change but justify inadequate action or redirect responsibility.
• The climate change counter-movement (CCCM) is a coordinated network including fossil fuel corporations, industry trade associations, conservative think tanks, foundations, politicians, and PR firms that obstruct climate action.

APA

Climate Action Against Disinformation (2023). CLIMATE MIS-/DISINFORMATION BACKGROUNDER. https://caad.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Climate-Mis-_Disinformation-Backgrounder.pdf

Chicago

Climate Action Against Disinformation. CLIMATE MIS-/DISINFORMATION BACKGROUNDER. 2023. https://caad.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Climate-Mis-_Disinformation-Backgrounder.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Action Against Disinformation |title=CLIMATE MIS-/DISINFORMATION BACKGROUNDER |date=September 2023 |url=https://caad.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Climate-Mis-_Disinformation-Backgrounder.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateactionagainstdisinformation2023climate, author = {{Climate Action Against Disinformation}}, title = {{CLIMATE MIS-/DISINFORMATION BACKGROUNDER}}, institution = {Climate Action Against Disinformation}, year = {2023}, month = sep, url = {https://caad.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Climate-Mis-_Disinformation-Backgrounder.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }