BELÉM, BRAZIL – A coalition of twelve nations formally committed to combating climate change disinformation in a landmark declaration at the COP30 summit on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, a move with significant implications for shaping public understanding and policy in climate-vulnerable countries like Kenya. The initiative was unveiled on a day marked by stark warnings about the severe, immediate health risks posed by the fossil fuel industry globally.

The Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, a first for the UN climate conference, establishes a commitment to promote accurate, science-based information and counter the growing tide of misinformation that undermines climate action. The initial signatories include Brazil, Canada, France, and Germany, among others. Kenya is not among the first signatories. This development places a spotlight on the need for robust information systems as Kenya pursues its own climate goals, which are heavily dependent on international support and public buy-in.

The urgency of the climate crisis was driven home by a damning report from Amnesty International, also released on Wednesday. The report, titled "Extraction Extinction," revealed that a quarter of the world's population—over two billion people—lives within 5 kilometres of an operational fossil fuel project, exposing them to significant health hazards. The study, conducted with the Better Planet Laboratory, documents elevated risks of cancer, cardiovascular illness, respiratory conditions, and adverse reproductive outcomes for these communities.

For Kenya, these global findings have direct local relevance. Communities in Turkana County, near the Lokichar oil fields, and in Lamu, the site of a proposed coal plant, have already reported increased rates of upper respiratory tract infections. A 2020 report by WWF-Kenya highlighted that data from Turkana South Sub-County Hospital showed respiratory infections accounted for 55 percent of all reported cases, with locals attributing the rise to oil drilling activities. The Amnesty report amplifies these concerns, noting that the entire lifecycle of fossil fuels—from extraction to transport—destroys ecosystems and undermines human rights.

Amid these warnings, the International Energy Agency (IEA) launched its 2025 World Energy Outlook, presenting a complex picture of the global energy transition. The report projects surging global demand for electricity, driven by developing economies in Africa and Asia, and the expansion of technologies like artificial intelligence. While the growth of renewables is accelerating, the IEA warns that progress is uneven and that energy security risks are expanding beyond oil and gas to include electricity grids and critical minerals. For Africa, the IEA notes that while private sector investment in clean energy has tripled since 2019, public and development finance has fallen, and 600 million people on the continent still lack access to electricity.

Kenya's delegation at COP30, led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, has been advocating for increased climate finance and clear timelines for a global fossil fuel phase-out. The nation has positioned itself as a leader in the green transition, with over 93% of its electricity generated from renewable sources, and aims to reach 100% by 2030. However, the country's climate action plan remains heavily conditional on international financial support.

The day's events in Belém were also marked by powerful statements from global figures and civil society. Former US Vice President Al Gore, speaking at the summit, described government subsidies for fossil fuels as "literally insane," arguing they force taxpayers to fund "the destruction of part of humanity's future." His comments came as indigenous activists and environmental groups, who arrived in a flotilla of over 100 boats, held a “People’s Summit” to protest the slow pace of negotiations and denounce what they term false climate solutions. Official proceedings saw a brief open plenary on the global stocktake postponed, with the presidency citing a need for further consultations, highlighting the procedural challenges that often accompany the high-stakes negotiations.