United Nations launches #ClimateCounts campaign to combat climate disinformation ahead of COP30
As all eyes are soon to turn to Brazil for the Conference of the Parties (COP), the UN are launching a social media campaign to ensure that data around climate change is front of mind – and accurate.
This year marks a significant COP, as it is 10 years since the Paris Agreement. In spite of the challenges we are still facing to maintain a level of global warming which aligns with the Paris pledge, the battle we are fighting in the communications world is one of mis and disinformation.
And this is so hard to believe, given that the first ever research evidence of what we now understand as greenhouse gas, was as far back as 1824. As our modelling of climate change has become more sophisticated, the data available to underpin the reality of what so many of us see today, is vast and unquestionable – yet it still is being questioned. To add fuel to that fire, the acceleration of AI has meant that communications around climate are in danger of eroding trust and being used to spread a rhetoric of climate denial.
The #ClimateCounts campaign aims to build literacy around climate change information, so that civil society have the language and data to talk about and support the effort to combat climate change. It also helps when it comes to lobbying our governments to take stronger action to combat climate change, significant as world leaders are submitting their updated national climate plans – or National Direct Contributions (NDCs).
“As the world heads toward COP30 and countries submit new pledges under the Paris Agreement, the message is clear: we have no time to lose,” said Cassie Flynn, UNDP’s Global Director of Climate Change. “This is the moment to turn plans into progress. #ClimateCounts shines a spotlight on 30 powerful facts showing that bold climate action can drive prosperity, resilience, and justice – proving that what’s good for the planet is good for people.”
#ClimateCounts will feature 30 climate facts, each with an engaging visual, designed to make climate change feel personal and urgent. With greater knowledge, the hope is that individuals and communities will be empowered to demand more ambitious climate action than they are seeing today. The #ClimateCounts campaign launched on the 27th October, and for more information you can visit: https://featured.undp.org/climate-counts/
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
UNDP’s Climate Promise is the UN system’s largest portfolio of support on climate action, working with more than 140 countries and territories and directly benefiting 37 million people. This portfolio implements over US$2.45 billion in grant financing and draws on UNDP’s expertise in adaptation, carbon markets, climate and forests, climate strategies and policy, and mitigation.
Suzy Giles is Chair of the UNDP and ICCO climate communications task force which is supporting the campaign.
