Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)’s Post

While screening out various articles and reports about public relations, I came across a really interesting one titled "The Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) opportunity for public relations.” This piece, written by Stephen Waddington and Dr. Jon White, does not only cover the basics of ESG but also underscores the role of PR in ESG. As highlighted in this report, PR has the potential not only to raise awareness of ESG within a company but also on a broader scale. It functions as a powerful tool for making a positive impact and aligning corporate values with those of society.

World Innovation and Change Management Institute (WICMI) leads global leaders in preparing a Roman Declaration of Green Communication. On the initiative of the World Innovation and Change Management Institute (WICMI), the drafting of the Roman Declaration of Green Communication Responsibility of the public relations industry has begun. The declaration will be formally presented and signed in Rome on 23rd September, 2025 at the PR ROMAN FORUM conference “Green Communications, Green Responsibility, ESG, Sustainable Heritage”. The WICMI initiative to date has the support of Federazione Relazioni Pubbliche Italiana (FERPI), the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO). The adoption of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) standards worldwide presents both an opportunity and challenge for public relations practice. The guidelines and recommendations in the declaration while recognizing PR’s key role in communicating the challenge of climate change and the transition to a green economy will also emphasize its responsibility for green communication.The declaration is being prepared by an Advisory Board chaired by Richard Linning, President of the World Innovation and Change Management Institute (WICMI), United Kingdom.

Building trust in #PR allows for growth. Making sure #ESG efforts are put in place for the right reasons is critical. PR professionals can help bridge the gap between the client and ESG goals. https://bit.ly/3HAaNvS

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

PR shops that specialize in climate have more work than ever — but it’s also getting a lot harder. 🤔 At Climate Week NYC last month, the conference rooms, bars, and hotel lobbies of midtown Manhattan were filled with climate-focused corporate executives, political leaders, and the journalists chasing after them. But in between them all were countless third-party communications consultants — many more than I’ve seen in previous Climate Weeks — working overtime to get their clients into the right meetings and onto — or out of — the front pages of the global press. Companies are touting climate solutions, jostling for a seat at the table for important policy decisions, and trying to respond to or, better yet, avoid controversies. There are also more journalists on the climate beat. PR firms are an inevitable link between those trends. For those who focus on sustainability, these days they’re both busier than ever and having to manage a much more technically complicated — and potentially fraught — docket: Climate action, once an afterthought in corporate comms, is now an indispensable element of corporate public messaging. “Huge brands are rewiring their communications strategy to weave in a climate story that advances broader market leadership — and that’s when they could be talking about their product or simply keeping quiet,” said Matt Stewart, West Coast general manager for Method Communications. “Many corporations talked about climate somewhere before, but today it’s much more pervasive.” https://lnkd.in/dv9iCf3N

🌎🌱 Meet Kathleen Euler, our Associate Director of Digital Communications! From her work with local nonprofits like The Clemente Museum to international NGOs like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kathleen has a range of community development and policy experiences. The throughline? Storytelling. In all of her roles, Kathleen has advanced communications and marketing efforts. Now, with the Resilience Center, Kathleen manages our strategic digital communications, and leads on content for our social media, emails, and website. Hear from Kathleen as she shares why this work matters to her. 👉 Why did you want to join the Arsht-Rock team? “What set Arsht-Rock apart is its clear partnership with local communities from the initial design of a project to its implementation. I am excited to work with a team that is committed to learning from and with frontline communities, and am proud to share their stories and the story of our work.” 👉 What project are you especially proud of? “The Scorching Divide report is one of the clearest examples of the strength of our team’s collaborative approach. The report builds off an innovative analysis that explore not only how much income women lose to heat, but how much working time the rising temperatures costs them. This was our first digital report, and it was an all-team effort. We worked with communities on the ground to make sure their voices were heard, and every member of the communications team—with a well-deserved shout out to Jessica Dabrowski, Catherine Wallace, and Kashvi Ajitsaria—came together to make it happen. We also collaborated closely with our partners at Vivid Economics and our extreme heat team to develop this report and share these important findings.” 👉 What should people know about this work? “Climate communications is a critical part of our work. By telling the story of climate resilience and adaptation, we can help people care and understand what they can do to protect people, cities, and ecosystems—now and in the future.” Explore the Scorching Divide today: https://bit.ly/3OxzZrx

The past decade has witnessed a seismic shift in the landscape of Public Relations (PR), Corporate Communications, and Public Affairs (PA). Driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting stakeholder expectations, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the rise of social movements, these fields have undergone profound changes. Understanding these transformations is crucial for professionals aiming to stay ahead of the curve and leverage new opportunities for impact.

as the director of ESG communications. . . . . . what is my purpose? The purpose of the ESG communications specialist is threefold - Goals, Roles and Synergy (I didn’t find a rhyming word😅). Let’s start with Goals, what does this mean? It means that you are to ensure that every stakeholder, within the company and without, understands exactly where the company is headed. In other words, it is your responsibility that no stakeholder is confused about what the company is seeking to achieve. Why is this necessary? Because without a common direction, stakeholders are bound to lose motivation and/or sabotage the company's efforts to achieve its goals. A common direction guides everyone’s actions and reduces the occurrence of conflicts. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss the purpose of the communications director when it comes to Roles within the company such as board and management, staff, suppliers and so on. Stay tuned so you don’t miss it!

Last week, Eleanor Hawkins reported on how the roles of Chief Communications Officers are expanding to include responsibilities such as marketing, sustainability, and corporate affairs. Regardless of whether these functions fall officially within their remit, the success of CCOs hinges largely on the quality of their relationships across the organization. That’s because visibility = preparation, and in comms, there’s nothing worse than being caught flat footed. Some examples of how this can play out:   📣 Marketing + Partner to integrate comms and marketing efforts for maximum impact  - Review campaigns from a reputation management lens 👥 Human Resources  + Partner to highlight your company as a great place to work - Get ahead of employee misconduct issues that could become public 🌎 Sustainability/Impact + Effectively explain the organization’s sustainability strategy and progress - Help to contextualize negative externalities and plans to address them 💼 Corporate Affairs  + Create a compelling narrative for the organization’s business strategy - Have a plan for legal filings or lobbying activities that may attract media attention By the same token, leaders in these functions do themselves a favor by keeping their CCO well informed 🤝

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