PRCA joins Advertising Association Climate Action Group to address climate change

The PRCA has joined the Advertising Association, working in partnership with ISBA and IPA, to address climate change issues.

The Council will co-ordinate the efforts of the collection of creative industry organisations within two groups – the Climate Action Steering Group (CASG) and the Climate Action Working Group (CAWG).

Chaired by Advertising Association vice chair and EVP and general manager of Unilever UK and Ireland Sebastian Munden, the CASG is made up of representatives across the industry including the Marketing Society and The Marketing Academy. From March, the group will focus on initiatives to meet goals instituted by the UK Government across media, marketing and advertising. The three initial areas the CASG will focus on, alongside the CAWG group, are:

1. A report measuring the UK advertising industry’s carbon footprint and how it can be reduced
2. Developing options for collective industry action to encourage use of sustainable products, services, behaviours and messaging in advertising
3. Support of the ASA’s plan to explore how advertising regulation can aid with climate change concerns

‘Advertising accelerates behaviour change and can be a real force for helping drive sustainable growth and social good,’ said Advertising Association chief executive Stephen Woodford on the importance of the formation of the groups. ‘With ideas like this and many, many more, we have the opportunity to make a massive impact through the right action over the years ahead of us.’

‘Public relations and communications professionals have the power to shape public consciousness on climate change. But we also have a responsibility to ensure our own organisations operate responsibly,’ said PRCA director general Francis Ingham. ‘Our industry can make a genuine impact on this issue. As the world’s largest PR membership body, the PRCA is proud to be joining the Advertising Association’s new initiative.’

Interested in the industry’s work on climate action? Contact the Advertising Association via [email protected] for more information.