2025-07-30
Organisations that campaign using disinformation to undermine climate action will come under scrutiny in a new parliamentary inquiry established by the Greens.
The UN has recently identified coordinated disinformation campaigns are hindering global progress on climate change by eroding public trust in climate science and influencing political outcomes.
How prevalent the propagation of disinformation is in Australia, where it comes from, and who is behind it, will be some of the key areas of inquiry for the committee.
The terms of reference for the Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy can be found here.
Quotes attributable to Committee Chair, Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Aggressive and coordinated disinformation campaigns are increasingly spreading false information designed to deliberately mislead and influence public opinion on climate change.
“As the dangers of climate change intensify, the need for reliable and accurate information on the climate crisis and the Australian parliament's response to it has never been more crucial.
“For decades, vested interests have been waging a global war of disinformation against the clean energy transition, including environmental and climate legislation, and these vested interests have recently achieved significant political success in nations such as the US.
“In the last parliament, evidence was provided to the Senate Inquiry into offshore wind industry that strategies such as establishing fake community groups – otherwise known as astroturfing – were being used in Australia to spread lies about renewable energy.**
“It’s critical that parliament continues this work and now examines these interests for what they are and who they serve.”
**This inquiry will act on Recommendation 4 from the Senate Inquiry into offshore wind industry: The committee recommends the Australian Government and DCCEEW proactively ensure that foreign actors, spam engagement, and misinformation and disinformation do not overpower local community voices from being heard in local public debate.