COMMUNICATIONS and creative agency Content Coms has announced that it has become an early signatory to the Creative Climate Disclosure.

The CCD is a new programme which seeks to minimise the carbon conflicts of the creative communications sector.

The Holt-based company says that while creatives and communicators in its industry are changing the narrative about both climate change and ecological crises, too many advertising, creative, public relations, marketing and digital agencies are still ‘playing both sides’ and treating their role as neutral.

Many agencies work with clients that promote climate solutions and yet they also run campaigns for fossil fuels.

In a statement issued to clients and suppliers this week, Content Coms, which has offices at the Glove Factory, has confirmed its own position.

Company founder and chief executive Joanna Watchman says they do not, and will not, work with clients who operate in a manner that is socially or environmentally negative.

“As specialists in energy, sustainability and construction, we’ve spent 20 years doing our bit to help fight climate change, by supporting clients who have the solutions to it.

“Now and moving forward, we are formally confirming our position: we will only work with clients whose values and whose own commitments to fighting climate change are as strong as ours – and specifically, we will not work with any fossil fuel businesses.”

A requirement of signing the Creative Climate Disclosure is that Content Coms has promised to disclose its turnover by sector, indicate any ‘high carbon clients’, and highlight any climate conflicts.

The disclosure will include a breakdown of where client work comes from, impacts made and sales turnover by sector.

Content Coms’ first report will be published in October 2019, sharing details from its previous financial year.

In so doing, it will help to contribute to a wider transparency across the creative and marketing industry and help highlight any climate conflicts within the communications space.

For creative businesses interested in making their own commitment, other Client Disclosure Reports can be reviewed online. The deadline is the end of 2019 to disclose.