We’re harnessing the power of communications, marketing, media and advertising to supercharge the transition to a climate-friendly future. We are a volunteer group that is constructive, fact-based and non-partisan.
Who can join Comms Declare: All communication, marketing, media, creative and advertising professionals. Do you craft, promote, sell or place messages that have the potential to reach and influence many people? Do you care about the climate crisis? If so, this movement is for you. Members include comms professionals from all sectors including marketers, journalists, creatives, media traders & advertisers, public relations experts, content producers, strategists, advertising & marketing technology specialists, social media influencers, professional bloggers, authors and many more.
What should communicators declare? Climate breakdown is one of the most serious issues of our time. As communicators, we know that words matter. The pen is mightier than the sword, and our industries hold great influence over the messages that reach the public and the projects that gain social licence. We craft, promote, sell and place messages, both written and visual, that are seen by millions and help to shape our culture, values and future. Collectively, we have great power, and we need to use it wisely. For too long our industries have been helping companies that produce greenhouse gas pollution by furthering their interests and protecting their reputations. To help achieve net zero, communicators must be aware, declare and act. For more on how communicators can make a difference, read: How conversations and messaging can help transform the world.
What is involved in each of the options: Declare and Act? There are two pledge options – Declare and Act – to recognise the different ways people are able to contribute. Declare
I declare my work as a communicator will not support any activities, organisations or individuals that promote:
the growth of fossil fuels
the continuation of high greenhouse gas pollution as ‘business as usual’
deception, distraction or spin around science or climate actions.
Act
I will:
Actively raise awareness of the climate emergency and the urgent need for action
Share stories of success as individuals, organisations, and governments make positive climate choices, building hope and optimism in our collective ability to provide a healthy, liveable planet for future generations
Encourage others to sign the Comms Declare pledge
Reduce my carbon footprint and live a more sustainable life.
What kind of comms work is ‘against the rules’? None of us are perfect and it’s almost impossible to avoid marketing or advertising work that doesn’t involve some climate impact. We draw the line at promoting the growth of fossil fuels or treating high greenhouse gas pollution as ‘business as usual’. We ask our members to not work with any of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas polluters. And we ask members who are working with companies that are damaging the climate to encourage transparency and not greenwashing. Want more tips on how to prioritise climate action in your comms work? Read our Guide to Best Practice Climate Communications.
How can I help Comms Declare? Please spread the word amongst your networks and encourage all communication, marketing, media, creative and advertising professionals to draw their own line in the sand by joining Comms Declare. If you would like to get more involved, please email us at [email protected]. Comms Declare is run entirely by volunteers and we would love to put your skills to good use. (sourced 8/1/2022 from https://commsdeclare.org/about/)
Communicators. It’s time to come clean. First fossil fuel companies tried to manufacture climate denial and stop climate action. Now they’re pretending they’re the solution to the climate crisis they are creating. But it’s not true. The window for climate action is rapidly closing. The communications industry has helped fossil fuels for too long – it’s time to come clean and declare for the climate. Join the 320+ Marketing, PR, Advertising and Media professionals and 80+ organisations that have declared for the climate. Together we can stop the promotion of pollution.
Who (not) to work with: Choose your next clients with the climate in mind. See our list of organisations that are Australia’s major contributors to global warming. Polluter Relations List: The biggest part of any agency’s carbon footprint is its client’s emissions. Having a fossil fuel client cancels out your environmental initiatives, makes it harder to retain great staff and puts you at increasing risk of regulatory or legal threats. See which communications agencies are helping fossil fuels.