Liverpool City Council’s Post

The number of communications job descriptions mentioning ESG and sustainability have increased 1,600% since 2016. Mentions of PR have decreased by 74%.

Are you looking to improve your company's sustainability communications? Check out this insightful article from Wolters Kluwer that offers practical tips and strategies for effective sustainability messaging. Let's work towards a more sustainable future together! 💚? #CorporateSustainability #EffectiveCommunications #SustainableFuture

Earth Day 🌎 might have passed, but that's no reason to slack off on your sustainability communications. Here are some tips to get you started - https://brnw.ch/21wJiOl It's time to start planning for your next #EarthDay campaign, as April holds the perfect opportunity for you to make a splash by staying impactful and relevant in your communications around sustainability. Written by Andrew Bavelock

Our clients tell us that what they love most about The PR Network is access to expertise - any discipline, any sector, all over the world. Our flexible model means we can work with the best person and team for the campaign, regardless of their location. Our 1,300+ strong network of senior associates are best in class. Every hour spent with us, is an hour with an expert, senior consultant. That's why we're launching a new Ask the Expert webinar series in 2024. We'll offer an opportunity to spent time with one of our associate experts to dig a little deeper into a particular specialism, geography or current trend. We're kicking off the first session with Melissa Davis who will be in conversation with Nicky Regazzoni discussing; how our clients can integrate and align with ESG frameworks and how communicators can work within regulations. Why don't you sign up and join us? 🌟 Date for your diary 🌟 👇 #esg #esgstrategy #esgconsulting #esgnews #internationalpr #sustainability

What do you think 2024 holds for the future of ESG? As we navigate emerging trends, communication professionals need to remain adaptable, informed, and proactive. In a rapidly evolving industry, we know that the integration of ESG principles into communication strategies is key to success. Find out what the outlook is, here: https://bit.ly/48x1LvE #Comms #Communications #ESG

I've spoken with a few people recently who want to change careers to work in sustainability / sustainability communications. They've all asked how I went from being a BBC TV Producer / Director to a Sustainability strategist / communications consultant. Here's how:- I started my career working on a six part television series on climate change called, "Scare Stories". ⬇️  For 8 years, I produced and directed purposeful television programmes, from documentaries to factual entertainment. ⬇️  I left the BBC in 2006 to co-found a corporate film production company. ⬇️  After a few years, we broadened our film production service to include strategic communications and a wider content and campaign offering. ⬇️  We developed a specialism in helping brands define and communicate their purpose, mission, vision and values. ⬇️  We told more and more stories about organisations' social purpose and commitments to people and planet. To do this, we helped more brands define their social purpose in the first place. ⬇️  We rebranded to Verity London with a sole focus on responsible business and sustainability; Bringing in even deeper expertise to help clients - 🔹define their strategic approach 🔹clarify positioning and messaging 🔹produce, write and deliver reporting 🔹create meaningful stakeholder communications and engagement Yes - we still make films 😊. It's another question I'm asked, but now it's also so much more. Core skills which have seen me through include: 🔸 editorial / journalistic nous Knowing what makes a good story, how and why will it appeal to the audience and what evidence is required to back it up 🔸clear messaging and storytelling Being able to take complex information, compress it and humanise it to make it more accessible and digestible 🔸strong research and interrogative skills Understanding why the story or topic is important, the motivations behind communications, how it sits and fits within the landscape or broader context, what competitor brands are saying, how media and other stakeholders might react and how to de-risk content Happy to chat to anyone wanting to make the move. Just DM me. #sustainability #sustainabilitycommunications #responsiblebusiness

Crisis comms in an increasingly challenging world environment was the subject of a thoughtful Chartered Institute of Public Relations panel this lunchtime. Far too much valuable insight to scribble down, but to give some flavour: trust in Western democracies is low and while levels of trust vary across the population, sometimes relating to socio-economic factors, some concerns are universal, not least issues around technology - AI, data collection and so on. In this environment people expect more comment from business leaders, but how can they steer clear of the pitfalls of doing so? Fundamental to this is ensuring authenticity - statements consistent with and relevant to your area of operation, strategy and current messaging - and if it's not relevant don't get involved. All common sense perhaps but worth repeating in an age where the 'terrible twins' of misinformation and polarisation are combining to destabilise. Meanwhile, ESG is being increasingly seen as self-interested business activity - but we still need a strategy, whatever name it is given, that represents business’ actions and investment - it was suggested that the governance element is perhaps the underpinning factor in keeping ESG authentic. An increased level of preparedness for the unexpected is crucial and comms heads are finding the need for increasingly inter-disciplinary approaches to comms/public affairs/marketing to navigate through the modern environment - something I've always thought important and which is being practised more as time goes on. There is at least, as we know, a wealth of evidence to draw upon, encapsulated by Rod Cartwright’s summary, to inform future approaches - article with links here: https://lnkd.in/epNN6taw Thanks to Rod Cartwright, Rachel Phillips, Nick Hope and Eliot Mizrachi and Katherine Sykes FCIPR Chart.PR

In an age where businesses are increasingly expected to take stands on societal and political issues, corporate communications have found themselves at a crossroads. The pressure is mounting for companies to voice their positions on a range of issues, from climate change to social justice. The increased focus on corporate purpose and social responsibility, however, introduces a tension for the corporate communications function: the need to balance business imperatives with value-driven leadership. I'll take as an example an industrial company. The necessity for industrial companies to navigate the interplay between business imperatives and societal expectations has never been more acute than now. Let's consider how an industrial company might use a codified decision-making framework: 1️⃣ Industrial companies must assess whether societal issues directly affect their operations, supply chain, workforce, or customer base. For example, a company might prioritize communication around environmental stewardship if it aligns with their business in renewable energy or waste reduction. 2️⃣ At the same time, given the wide-ranging implications of industrial activities, it is essential to identify which societal issues align with strategic business objectives. Taking a stance on every public policy concern could distract from core business activities and may be perceived as disingenuous. 3️⃣ Any public position must have the backing of the entire management team, particularly in industries where operations directly affect local communities and environments. For instance, initiatives for reducing carbon emissions should be supported with tangible actions and leadership commitment. By applying these 3 simple approaches, an industrial company can strategically align its communications with its business goals while also fulfilling its societal obligations. In strategic communications, prevention and planning is a lot more valuable and vital than reactiveness. Any legislation is announced or made public months before it is signed - more than enough time to prepare a well crafted communications campaign.

Great to be able to join Cognito’s Sustainability Communications: Assessing the Role of Communications in Driving Change panel discussion this morning chaired by Sarah Anderson. The expert panel of Melissa Tan Asia Communications Director, S&P Global Commodity Insights, Robin Hicks, Deputy Editor, Eco-Business, and Pranav Rastogi Head of Communications, Grow Asia, discussed how communications is shifting the needle on action around climate change and the broader sustainability agenda. It’s clear that sustainability communications requires a different approach to other b2b comms. The term communicating with your heart not just your head came up a lot. It’s still an emerging area for comms professionals and we need to ensure that we are communicating openly and transparently and not greenwashing or even ‘green blushing’, as one audience member explained, where companies are so nervous about getting into the sustainability debate for fear or criticism that they don’t actually talk about the great things they are doing. It’s great to have journalists now who are specifically focused on sustainability and climate change and have the knowledge to be able to distinguish green fact from greenwashing fiction and who are more willing to highlight the great work companies are doing to drive the sustainability agenda. Thanks to Ian Lee for the invite. #sustainability #communications

In a world where climate action is more crucial than ever, effective communication is key to driving meaningful change. I'm available for consultancy work to support your communications needs, specialising in media, public relations, and climate communications. With a passion for sustainability and years of experience in the field, I am dedicated to helping organisations, businesses, and initiatives that are committed to making a positive impact on our planet. How I can help: ✅ Climate expertise: I bring a nuanced understanding of climate science and environmental issues, allowing me to craft compelling narratives that resonate with your target audience and drive engagement. ✅ Media relations: Building strong relationships with journalists and media outlets is crucial for amplifying your message. I leverage my extensive network and PR expertise to secure impactful media coverage that boosts your visibility and credibility. ✅ Strategic communication: From developing thought leadership content to organizing press events and managing crisis communication, I can help to position your organisation. ✅ Authentic advocacy: Climate communication isn't just about conveying information—it's about inspiring people to take action. I help you authentically connect with your audience, fostering genuine relationships that drive long-term change. Let's join forces to amplify your impact, drive positive change, and build a more sustainable future together. Whether you're a green startup, an environmental NGO, or a sustainable brand, I can empower you to share your message effectively and inspire action. #ClimateCommunication #PublicRelations #Sustainability #MediaRelations #FreelanceConsultant #MakeAnImpact #EcoFriendlyPR