• by Tanya Gazdik , November 27, 2023

Polestar is launching Truth Bot, a purpose-built bot created with the goal of debunking inaccuracies about climate change. 

The electric vehicle brand is launching the bot on X ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28. The 28th United Nations Climate Change conference will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 at the Expo City, Dubai.

The initiative was launched to combat a plethora of climate misinformation released on social media platforms, according to the Swedish automotive brand.

Scientists have raised the alarm about an increase in “climate denier bots,” the United Nations has warned that misinformation is “delaying urgent action to ensure a liveable future for the planet,” and a report by Climate Action Against Disinformation reveals that X ranked lowest out of the five major social media platforms for actions to limit the spread of misinformation.

“The deliberate misuse of climate data is incredibly damaging. Particularly now, in the lead up to COP28, the conversation is muddied between fact and fiction,” says Fredrika Klarén, head of sustainability at Polestar, in a release. “We believe that the opposite -- a truthful use of scientific data -- can be a powerful tool to help navigate climate action, and we encourage everyone to join us in spreading this on social platforms.”

The Polestar Truth Bot is responding to climate myths on X using factual data. This includes the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s “Impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C” special report, and the International Energy Agency’s “The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions” report.

Since 2020, Polestar has shared Life Cycle Assessments for all its models in production, including detailed reporting on emissions and climate impact, as well as information on material sourcing and supply chain traceability. 

Earlier in 2023, alongside Rivian, another progressive electric vehicle brand, Polestar initiated the Pathway report from Kearney. The short report looks at well-to-wheel emissions of the projected passenger vehicle fleet globally to 2050 and explores the monumental challenges the automotive industry faces.