A report by Clean Creatives has listed 41 advertising and public relations agencies that have current or historical contracts with coal, oil and gas firms, accusing them of contributing to the climate crisis by downplaying their environmental consequences. The report also reveals that 35 agencies and over 140 people in the advertising and PR sector have pledged not to work with fossil fuel companies, with over 700 agencies having joined the pledge worldwide. While advertising agencies have the power to inform the public about climate change, industry experts highlight that advertising is a fundamental aspect of capitalism.
Advertising and PR Agencies Under Scrutiny for Greenwashing Practices
In a significant development, advertising and public relations (PR) agencies are facing criticism from their counterparts for contributing to the climate crisis by downplaying the environmental consequences of their fossil fuel clients’ actions. Clean Creatives, a worldwide alliance of media agencies, has published a report that lists 41 advertising and PR agencies with current and historical contracts with coal, oil, and gas firms. The South African branch of the coalition is also calling on the Loerie Awards, the nation’s top advertising awards, to prohibit entries for work performed for fossil fuel firms.
The report, called “Fueling A Perfect Storm,” discloses that 35 agencies and over 140 people in the advertising and PR sector have pledged not to collaborate with fossil fuel companies or agencies that maintain fossil fuel clients. Over 700 agencies have joined the pledge worldwide. The information indicates that the combustion of coal, oil, and gas is responsible for more than 75% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, resulting in extreme weather events and endangering food security, health, and ecosystems.
Fossil Fuel Companies Accused of Deception, Advertising Agencies Seen as Enablers
Fossil fuel firms have been charged with misleading the public and stalling climate regulations for many years. Advertising and public relations companies are perceived as key players in this wide-ranging campaign of public deception. One instance is Total’s rebranding to TotalEnergies in 2021, featuring Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi in a campaign by Edelman PR agency that highlighted the company’s solar-powered service stations. The report points out that TotalEnergies allocates 88% of its capital expenditure to fossil fuels and participates in the contentious East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
South Africa’s heavy dependence on coal ranks it among the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters globally and the most carbon-intensive economy. Although particularly susceptible to climate change, the nation is warming at twice the global average. Fossil fuel firms continue to employ deceptive advertising and PR tactics to hinder the shift from polluting fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives such as wind, solar, and energy storage. Advertising agencies’ assertions of assisting their fossil fuel clients in navigating the just transition by promoting their commitment to clean energy are considered indefensible when only 1% of their capital expenditure is dedicated to renewables.
The Role of Advertising Agencies in Addressing Climate Change
Advertising agencies possess a unique opportunity to inform the public about climate change and foster sustainable behavior. The significance of advertising, media, and culture in dealing with the repercussions of a warming planet is now widely acknowledged. However, Sandra Gordon, a seasoned advertising industry expert and founder of Stone Soup Public Relations, emphasizes that advertising is a fundamental aspect of capitalism, enticing consumers to engage with products that can be detrimental to the planet and themselves.
Some agencies on the F-List justify their work with fossil fuel firms, referring to their participation in initiatives that provide scholarships for underprivileged youth and inspire school children to pursue STEM careers. Katlego Mahura, managing director at Idea Engineers, contends that constructive engagement with the fossil fuel sector can contribute to positive change and a more sustainable future.
In spite of the criticism and demands for change, the Loerie Award organizers and numerous advertising and PR agencies on the F-List have not yet reacted to the report’s conclusions and suggestions.
What is Clean Creatives, and what is their report about?
Clean Creatives is a worldwide alliance of media agencies that has published a report called “Fueling A Perfect Storm.” The report lists 41 advertising and public relations (PR) agencies with current or historical contracts with coal, oil, and gas firms, accusing them of contributing to the climate crisis by downplaying their environmental consequences.
What is the F-List, and how many agencies have pledged not to work with fossil fuel companies?
The F-List is a list of advertising and PR agencies on the Clean Creatives report that have current or historical contracts with coal, oil, and gas firms. The report discloses that 35 agencies and over 140 people in the advertising and PR sector have pledged not to collaborate with fossil fuel companies or agencies that maintain fossil fuel clients. Over 700 agencies have joined the pledge worldwide.
Why are advertising and PR agencies facing criticism for their work with fossil fuel companies?
Advertising and PR agencies are perceived as enablers of fossil fuel companies’ deceptive advertising and public relations tactics, which mislead the public and stall climate regulations. Fossil fuel firms have been charged with misleading the public and stalling climate regulations for many years. Advertising and public relations companies are perceived as key players in this wide-ranging campaign of public deception.
What is TotalEnergies, and what is their connection to the advertising industry?
TotalEnergies is a fossil fuel company that rebranded in 2021, featuring Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi in a campaign by Edelman PR agency that highlighted the company’s solar-powered service stations. The report points out that TotalEnergies allocates 88% of its capital expenditure to fossil fuels and participates in the contentious East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
How do advertising agencies justify their work with fossil fuel firms?
Some agencies on the F-List justify their work with fossil fuel firms, referring to their participation in initiatives that provide scholarships for underprivileged youth and inspire school children to pursue STEM careers. Katlego Mahura, managing director at Idea Engineers, contends that constructive engagement with the fossil fuel sector can contribute to positive change and a more sustainable future.
What is the significance of advertising in addressing climate change?
Advertising agencies possess a unique opportunity to inform the public about climate change and foster sustainable behavior. The significance of advertising, media, and culture in dealing with the repercussions of a warming planet is now widely acknowledged.
How does capitalism impact advertising’s role in addressing climate change?
Advertising is a fundamental aspect of capitalism, enticing consumers to engage with products that can be detrimental to the planet and themselves. Sandra Gordon, a seasoned advertising industry expert and founder of Stone Soup Public Relations, emphasizes this point.
Has there been any reaction to the report’s conclusions and suggestions?
The Loerie Award organizers and numerous advertising and PR agencies on the F-List have not yet reacted to the report’s conclusions and suggestions.
