Researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) contributed to the Expert Round Table on Climate Misinformation, organized within the framework of the MIP4Adapt initiative. MIP4Adapt (Mission Implementation Platform) is the central support mechanism for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, aiding regions and local authorities in planning and implementing climate resilience strategies. It provides technical assistance, community building, and funding guidance to Charter signatories.
The event brought together leading experts from science, policy, and practice to discuss emerging challenges related to climate misinformation and to explore strategies for improving evidence-based climate communication and adaptation decision-making.
IIASA was represented by Nadejda Komendantova from the Cooperation and Transformative Governance Group, who participated as an invited expert in the round-table discussions. Her contribution focused on the governance dimensions of climate misinformation, emphasizing how misinformation affects public trust, policy legitimacy, and collective action on climate adaptation.
During the discussions, participants examined how climate misinformation spreads across digital platforms and socio-political contexts, the implications for climate policy and adaptation planning, and the role of institutions and governance frameworks in countering misleading narratives. Particular attention was paid to the importance of inclusive, transparent, and participatory communication strategies that strengthen societal resilience to misinformation.
Komendantova highlighted the need for transformative governance approaches that integrate scientific knowledge with stakeholder engagement, stressing that effective responses to climate misinformation require cooperation across disciplines, sectors, and governance levels. She also underlined the relevance of co-production of knowledge and trust-building mechanisms between scientists, policymakers, and citizens.
The Expert Round Table forms part of the broader activities of MIP4Adapt, which aims to support climate adaptation by improving the interface between science, policy, and society, including addressing risks posed by misinformation and misperception in climate-related decision-making. IIASA’s participation in the event reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing research on climate governance, communication, and adaptation, and to contributing scientific expertise to international policy-relevant dialogues.
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