The UN has accused fossil fuel companies of running a “massive misinformation campaign” to slow the transition from a carbon-intensive economy and delay the adoption of renewable energy.
Selwin Hart, the UN’s assistant secretary general, claimed that the fossil fuel industry is fueling fears of a global “backlash” against climate action to persuade leaders to postpone emissions-cutting policies.
He noted that the apparent rejection of climate policies is more about the industry’s influence than actual public opinion.
Also read: AI could fuel climate misinformation, not solutions, warn environmental groups
“There is this prevailing narrative – and a lot of it is being pushed by the fossil fuel industry and their enablers – that climate action is too difficult, it’s too expensive,” Hart said.
“It is absolutely critical that leaders, and all of us, push back and explain to people the value of climate action, but also the consequences of climate inaction.”
Governments must take note, said Hart, who acts as special adviser on climate to the UN secretary general, António Guterres. “This should alert political leaders – those that are ambitious are not only on the right side of history, they’re on the side of their people as well.
Also read: Campaign groups accuse UK’s climate strategy of misleading information
“Climate appears to be dropping down the list of priorities of leaders,” he said. “But we really need leaders now to deliver maximum ambition. And we need maximum cooperation. Unfortunately, we are not seeing that at the moment.”
The UN is urging countries to develop new national plans outlining the emissions reductions needed under the 2015 Paris Agreement. These plans should detail not only the targets but also the policies for achieving them and the expected impacts.
