Milieu is pleased to announce the publication of “Disinformation and public engagement in the green transition”, a study prepared for the European Committee of the Regions.
The study examines how climate- and environment-related disinformation and misinformation affect public trust and engagement in the green transition, using the European Green Deal as a central case. It maps the digital disinformation ecosystem and clearly distinguishes disinformation and misinformation from legitimate policy criticism, providing a conceptual basis for understanding how public debate on green transition policies is shaped online.
To ground this analysis, the study examines three case studies: the Nature Restoration Law, the Sustainable Use of Pesticides framework, and CO2 emission standards for cars and vans. These cases illustrate how disinformation dynamics play out across different areas of EU environmental and climate policy, and how they can affect stakeholder understanding, public trust and engagement with reforms central to the European Green Deal.
Milieu led the preparation of the study, combining systematic desk research with targeted stakeholder consultation. Particular attention was given to local and regional authorities, recognised as frontline actors in the green transition. These authorities are best placed to build public trust through communication that is accessible, participatory and transparent, given their proximity to citizens and their role in implementing EU environmental policy on the ground.
The study identifies best practices and offers recommendations for countering disinformation and strengthening public engagement in the green transition. Its findings are intended to support local and regional authorities, as well as other stakeholders, in developing more effective, evidence-based communication strategies around EU environmental and climate policy.
Further information is available here.
