Misinformation has become one of the most pressing challenges facing British society. While false or misleading claims about politics, public health and international affairs attract
considerable attention, climate disinformation is a less visible but equally serious problem. By distorting scientific evidence, spreading unfounded fears and undermining confidence in environmental policies, it can create public anxiety, weaken support for necessary reforms and damage the investment climate.
The issue has attracted growing attention from London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is calling for stronger international cooperation to combat misleading information about climate change. Speaking at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, he is expected to warn world leaders that climate disinformation threatens not only environmental progress but also public trust and democratic debate.
The urgency of the issue is reflected in new polling, which found that 65 per cent of Londoners believe misleading information about climate change is widespread on social media. This suggests that climate disinformation has become a significant concern for residents of the British capital, highlighting the influence of online platforms in shaping public attitudes towards environmental policy.
Khan argues that misleading claims about climate change can delay measures that would otherwise improve public health, stimulate economic growth, create employment and attract investment. He describes climate disinformation as a “one-two punch” against both the planet and democracy, warning that deliberate attempts to distort scientific evidence can make it more difficult for governments to implement effective policies.
London's experience with the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) illustrates the scale of the challenge. When the clean air scheme was extended in 2023, it faced considerable opposition and what the Mayor describes as a sophisticated disinformation campaign. Nevertheless, the scheme became the world's largest clean air zone, demonstrating how evidence-based policies can be implemented despite organised attempts to undermine public confidence.
The benefits of such measures are supported by independent scientific research. A study led by Queen Mary University of London and published in The Lancet Public Health found that improved air quality following the introduction of the ULEZ in central London in 2019 was associated with faster lung growth among children.
The five-year study followed more than 3,400 primary schoolchildren in central London and Luton. Among children in the London group, the proportion experiencing clinically impaired lung function declined from 14 per cent to 9 per cent. In comparison, the figure in Luton fell from 9 per cent to 7 per cent. These findings demonstrate the tangible public health benefits that can result from environmental interventions and underline the importance of protecting scientific research from misleading interpretations.
According to City Hall estimates, roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations in central London are now 54 per cent lower than they would have been without the ULEZ and its subsequent expansions. London's environmental transformation has also included the expansion of its zero-emission bus fleet to more than 3,000 vehicles, alongside the planting of over 640,000 trees and the creation or improvement of approximately 900 hectares of green space.
Environmental policies are also contributing to the city's economic development. New data from City Hall indicates that the London Plan helped prevent 193,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from new buildings between 2021 and 2025. This reduction is equivalent to approximately 164,000 return flights between London and New York.
Meanwhile, London's green economy continues to represent a significant source of business activity and employment. In 2023–24, it generated £54.9 billion in sales, with more than 20,000 businesses employing over 341,000 people. These figures challenge the argument that environmental protection necessarily comes at the expense of economic competitiveness. On the contrary, investment in clean technologies, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure can create new markets, attract capital and strengthen long-term economic resilience.
This relationship between environmental policy and economic development is particularly important for the UK's investment climate. Businesses and international investors increasingly consider environmental sustainability, regulatory stability and the transition to a low-carbon economy when making investment decisions. When misinformation creates uncertainty about government commitments, scientific evidence or the economic consequences of climate policies, it can undermine confidence and discourage investment in emerging industries.
The Mayor believes that political leaders must therefore do more than introduce environmental measures: they must also communicate their benefits clearly and defend independent scientific evidence. As elected Co-Chair of the C40 network of global cities, Khan intends to encourage international cooperation between national governments and city authorities to counter climate disinformation and strengthen public confidence.
His appeal at COP31 reflects a broader challenge facing democratic societies. Social media has made it easier for misleading claims to spread rapidly, sometimes reaching millions of people before accurate information can adequately challenge them. Climate-related falsehoods can exploit economic concerns, exaggerate the costs of environmental reforms and create the impression that scientific consensus is less established than it actually is.
Combating this phenomenon requires coordinated action involving governments, local authorities, scientific institutions, independent media and digital platforms. Public access to reliable information, transparent communication about policy costs and benefits, and greater media literacy are essential elements of an effective response.
Ultimately, tackling climate disinformation is not simply an environmental priority. It is also a question of public security, economic confidence and the protection of democratic institutions. London's experience suggests that evidence-based environmental policies can deliver measurable improvements in health while generating substantial economic opportunities.
As climate change increasingly influences economic planning and international investment, the ability of governments to maintain public trust will become even more important. Misleading information should not be allowed to prevent societies from recognising the economic and social benefits of the green transition.
The central message emerging from London's experience is that environmental protection and prosperity are not competing objectives. With reliable information, public engagement and international cooperation, climate action can help create healthier communities, attract investment and build a more competitive and sustainable economy. Photo by Emmanuella Ackon, Wikimedia commons.
