Dis-information is used to delay climate action

Who funds, develops and shares climate dis-information?

Research shows most dis-information and mal-information is funded and shared deliberately to delay climate action by those who profit from oil coal and gas, and by those who profit from war, chaos and undermining democracy.

These covert bad actors share their dis-information by exploiting groups and individuals who genuinely believe climate change is a hoax.   A fourth group are relatively agnostic about climate change as a topic, but engineer profit from those who view and click on online content about it.

The above graphic was developed by GoodSense to illustrate this model as developed by Leah Chamberlain-Gunn, Principle Advisor, Strategic Communications at the New Zealand Climate Change Commission.  It draws on research by Jennie King, Senior Non-Resident Fellow of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa of the Disinformation Project.

Read the full ISD Report on climate dis-information presented at COP26.

Thanks to Lewis Patterson and Sustainable Brands Aotearoa for giving GoodSense opportunity to share this in our workshop at Sustainable Ōtautahi 2026.

Dis-information, mis-information and mal-information at a glance

Do you know the difference between climate dis-information, mis-information and mal-information?

Dis-information is false and meant to harm.

Mis-information is false but not intended to harm.

Mal-information is true but presented so as to harm climate action.

Source UNDP

Let us know if you’d like to talk

If you’re involved with combatting climate dis-information – or want to get better at having impact from your communications or marketing for good, please do get in touch today. We’d love to talk.