UN calls for businesses to be liable for climate denial and "misinformation"

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🗞️ Driving the news: A recent United Nations report on climate change and human rights calls for stricter legal measures against businesses for climate denial and misinformation
• The report recommends legal liability for companies spreading false information about climate change and proposes a ban on advertising by fossil fuel companies

🔭 The context: The report aligns with a growing trend to link climate change with human rights, aiming to enforce stricter accountability for greenhouse gas emissions and misinformation
• This follows actions by the UN Human Rights Council to address climate justice and calls for global climate reparations funds targeting fossil fuel companies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Establishing legal liabilities for climate misinformation and excessive emissions could accelerate global climate action
• Holding businesses accountable is seen as vital for reducing harmful environmental practices and protecting vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by climate change

⏭️ What's next: These proposals will be discussed in the UN Human Rights Council session from September 9 to October 9
• If adopted, they could lead to national and international legal reforms, including class-action lawsuits and stricter regulations on corporate climate-related disclosures

💬 One quote: “States should seek to advance legal, policy, and normative measures to hold polluters accountable, including for misinformation,” states the UN report, emphasizing the need for legal action against climate misinformation

📈 One stat: A 2022 report by Edelman found that 68% of institutional investors believe that companies that provide insufficient data on their sustainability practices are likely engaging in "greenwashing" or misinformation

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