Key facts
- Climate disinformation has shifted from denying the existence of climate change to questioning the feasibility and cost of climate policies.
- The phenomenon is linked to a growing political resistance to climate action, termed 'greenlash'.
- Far-right political parties in Germany and Spain are identified as key propagators of climate disinformation.
- US President Donald Trump has criticized European climate policies as a 'green new scam'.
- Extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods often trigger a surge in climate-related misinformation.
- Disinformation narratives target the green transition, renewable energy, and climate scientists.
Climate disinformation is evolving from outright denial of global warming to a more nuanced critique of environmental policies and climate action, according to experts. This shift is driven by a growing political resistance to climate change, termed 'greenlash'.
Ned Mendez, head of research and insights at digital campaigning agency 411, noted that the disinformation industry has moved 'one rung downstream,' focusing on whether climate responses are feasible, fair, and worth the price, rather than denying the crisis itself. Eva Morel, secretary of the French climate disinformation watchdog Quota Climat, echoed this, stating that outright denial is less common today.
These narratives are influenced by political debates, policy documents, international climate events like COPs, and extreme weather. While European leaders largely agree on addressing climate change, denial persists in the political landscape. For instance, Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party questions the scientific consensus, and figures like US President Donald Trump have labeled climate action a 'con job' and a 'green new scam.'
False claims often surface alongside extreme weather events. Europe's record-breaking heatwave in June prompted viral posts questioning the unusual nature of the temperatures and blaming scientists for failed climate action. Similarly, after devastating floods in eastern Spain in October 2024, disinformation spread, alleging intentional dam removal and blaming EU policies for the disaster. Vox, a far-right Spanish party, has been linked to these claims.
Recurring narratives include the idea that the green transition is a 'punitive plan' imposed by elites, often framed as a debate about competitiveness. Accusations of hypocrisy, such as 'private jet owning hypocrites lecturing you about your car,' are also common. Another narrative targets renewable energy, portraying it as a 'foreign intrusion' that hinders 'climate sovereignty,' as seen after a major blackout in the Iberian Peninsula in spring 2025. While initial theories blamed solar and wind reliance, a report by ENTSO-E cited grid failures as the cause.
Experts also point to deeper roots of skepticism, including anxiety around energy security since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In Central and Eastern Europe, coal and nuclear energy are tied to national identity, and rural communities facing specific projects are also susceptible. Economic uncertainty is leveraged to oppose climate measures, with claims that net-zero goals will destroy jobs and increase bills.
Despite evolving channels, core messaging remains. Philip Newell of Climate Action Against Disinformation highlighted Big Carbon's extensive advertising spending as a major source of disinformation. The monetization of social media also incentivizes the spread of 'fun and engaging' lies and conspiracy theories, with 'disinfluencers' relying on the attention economy.