Spain has announced sweeping new measures to combat climate disinformation and hold digital platforms accountable, positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s effort to protect the public from false narratives during climate-related emergencies.
The move follows growing concern over the rapid spread of misleading claims after a major blackout struck the Iberian Peninsula on April 28, 2025. False allegations circulating online blamed renewable energy for the outage echoing misinformation that followed the 2021 Texas power crisis despite evidence pointing elsewhere.
The new reforms, highlighted by advocacy group Climate Action Against Disinformation, aim to shift responsibility from content moderation alone to structural accountability within technology companies.
Legal Accountability for Platforms
Spain’s proposals would place clearer legal responsibility on platform executives for harms linked to their systems, including the amplification of illegal content and coordinated disinformation campaigns. The reforms also target algorithmic practices that prioritize outrage and divisive content, introduce stronger protections for minors online, and improve transparency in how digital platforms operate.
The measures align with broader European regulatory efforts under the Digital Services Act, which strengthens oversight of major technology firms and requires platforms to address systemic risks, including the spread of harmful misinformation.
At the international level, the European Union recently endorsed the UN Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, marking the first time governments have formally committed at the United Nations to safeguard science-based climate information and counter coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Supporters argue that combining EU regulatory enforcement with global commitments creates a powerful framework for defending accurate climate information.
From Emergency Rumours to Structural Reform
Advocates say climate disinformation often surges during crises, when public fear and uncertainty are high. Following the 2025 blackout, polling conducted by Climate Action Against Disinformation found that while many Spaniards encountered false claims, a large majority supported stronger accountability measures for tech companies.
Spain’s reforms also reflect a growing movement at the municipal level. Cities such as Amsterdam and Florence have introduced restrictions on fossil fuel advertising, drawing comparisons to earlier public health campaigns that limited tobacco promotion.
Critics of stronger regulation, including some political figures in the United States, have challenged European digital rules, arguing they restrict free expression. However, European policymakers maintain that transparency, accountability and risk mitigation are essential to protecting democratic institutions and public safety.
As climate impacts intensify and extreme weather events become more frequent, European leaders are increasingly framing the crisis not only as an environmental challenge, but also as an information integrity issue.
Spain’s latest action signals that governments are beginning to treat digital disinformation as a structural risk one that demands legal, regulatory and international coordination to address.