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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

I declare my work as a communicator will not support any activities, organisations or individuals that promote:
• the growth of fossil fuels
• the continuation of high greenhouse gas pollution as business as
usual
• deception, distraction or spin around science or climate actions.

Declare Now

FAQs

Who can join Comms Declare?

All communication, marketing, media, creative and advertising professionals. Do you craft, promote, sell or place messages that have the potential to reach and influence many people? Do you care about the climate crisis? If so, this movement is for you.

Members include comms professionals from all sectors including marketers, journalists, creatives, media traders & advertisers, public relations experts, content producers, strategists, advertising & marketing technology specialists, social media influencers, professional bloggers, authors and many more.

Why should communicators declare?

Climate breakdown is one of the most serious issues of our time.

As communicators, we know that words matter. The pen is mightier than the sword, and our industries hold great influence over the messages that reach the public and the projects that gain social licence.

We craft, promote, sell and place messages, both written and visual, that are seen by millions and help to shape our culture, values and future. Collectively, we have great power, and we need to use it wisely.

For too long our industries have been helping companies that produce greenhouse gas pollution by furthering their interests and protecting their reputations.

Declare
I declare my work as a communicator will not support any activities,
organisations or individuals that promote:
• the growth of fossil fuels
• the continuation of high greenhouse gas pollution as business as
usual
• deception, distraction or spin around science or climate actions.

What do I have to do if I declare?

After joining, you can be involved as little or as much as you like.

DECLARING is powerful as it helps to demonstrate there are many people in our industries who recognise the gravity of the climate situation and are actively choosing not to contribute to it through their work. This puts moral pressure on those choosing otherwise and encourages them to re-evaluate.

If you have capacity, we are always in need of assistance to help operate the organisation and mobilise more people. Every year we hold elections for the voluntary committee.

Declare now.

What kind of comms work is ‘against the rules’?

None of us are perfect and it’s almost impossible to avoid marketing or advertising work that doesn’t involve some climate impact.

We draw the line at promoting the growth of fossil fuels or treating high greenhouse gas pollution as ‘business as usual’.

We ask our members to not work with any of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas polluters.

And we ask members who are working with companies that are damaging the climate to encourage transparency and not greenwashing.

Want more tips on how to prioritise climate action in your comms work? Read our Guide to Best Practice Climate Communications.

How can I help Comms Declare?

Please spread the word amongst your networks and encourage all communication, marketing, media, creative and advertising professionals to draw their own line in the sand by joining Comms Declare.

If you would like to get more involved, please email us at hello@commsdeclare.org. Comms Declare is run entirely by volunteers and we would love to put your skills to good use.

You can also donate to help cover costs via PayPal or direct deposit.

Donate via PayPal

Direct deposit using the reference ‘donation’ to:

Comms Declare
BSB: 313149
Account: 12358863

We can arrange for larger donations to be tax deductible. Please email us for details.

To contact the Comms Declare team, please email

Please note the team are all volunteers, so please be patient if it takes a little while for us to respond.

You can also follow us:

FAQs

Who can join Comms Declare?

All communication, marketing, media, creative and advertising professionals. Do you craft, promote, sell or place messages that have the potential to reach and influence many people? Do you care about the climate crisis? If so, this movement is for you.

Members include comms professionals from all sectors including marketers, journalists, creatives, media traders & advertisers, public relations experts, content producers, strategists, advertising & marketing technology specialists, social media influencers, professional bloggers, authors and many more.

Why should communicators declare?

Climate breakdown is one of the most serious issues of our time.

As communicators, we know that words matter. The pen is mightier than the sword, and our industries hold great influence over the messages that reach the public and the projects that gain social licence.

We craft, promote, sell and place messages, both written and visual, that are seen by millions and help to shape our culture, values and future. Collectively, we have great power, and we need to use it wisely.

For too long our industries have been helping companies that produce greenhouse gas pollution by furthering their interests and protecting their reputations.

There are two pledge options – Declare and Act – to recognise the different
ways people are able to contribute.

Declare
I declare my work as a communicator will not support any activities,
organisations or individuals that promote:
• the growth of fossil fuels
• the continuation of high greenhouse gas pollution as ‘business as
usual’
• deception, distraction or spin around science or climate actions.

Act
I will:
• Actively raise awareness of the climate emergency and the urgent
need for action
• Share stories of success as individuals, organisations, and
governments make positive climate choices, building hope and
optimism in our collective ability to provide a healthy, liveable
planet for future generations
• Encourage others to sign the Comms Declare pledge
• Reduce my carbon footprint and live a more sustainable life.

What do I have to do if I sign the pledge?

After signing the pledge, you can be involved as little or as much as you like.

If you have limited time, you can simply sign the ‘Declare’ pledge that your work won’t support any activities, organisations or individuals that promote the continuation of high greenhouse gas pollution or deception around science or climate actions.

DECLARING is powerful as it helps to demonstrate there are many people in our industries who recognise the gravity of the climate situation and are actively choosing not to contribute to it through their work. This puts moral pressure on those choosing otherwise and encourages them to re-evaluate.

Declare now.

What is involved in each of the options: Declare and Act?

There are two pledge options – Declare and Act – to recognise the different ways people are able to contribute.

Declare

I declare my work as a communicator will not support any activities, organisations or individuals that promote:

  • the growth of fossil fuels
  • the continuation of high greenhouse gas pollution as ‘business as usual’
  • deception, distraction or spin around science or climate actions.

Act

I will:

  • Actively raise awareness of the climate emergency and the urgent need for action
  • Share stories of success as individuals, organisations, and governments make positive climate choices, building hope and optimism in our collective ability to provide a healthy, liveable planet for future generations
  • Encourage others to sign the Comms Declare pledge
  • Reduce my carbon footprint and live a more sustainable life.

What kind of comms work is ‘against the rules’?

None of us are perfect and it’s almost impossible to avoid marketing or advertising work that doesn’t involve some climate impact.

We draw the line at promoting the growth of fossil fuels or treating high greenhouse gas pollution as ‘business as usual’.

We ask our members to not work with any of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas polluters.

And we ask members who are working with companies that are damaging the climate to encourage transparency and not greenwashing.

Want more tips on how to prioritise climate action in your comms work? Read our Guide to Best Practice Climate Communications.

How can I help Comms Declare?

Please spread the word amongst your networks and encourage all communication, marketing, media, creative and advertising professionals to draw their own line in the sand by joining Comms Declare.

If you would like to get more involved, please email us at hello@commsdeclare.org. Comms Declare is run entirely by volunteers and we would love to put your skills to good use.

You can also donate to help cover costs via PayPal or direct deposit.

Donate via PayPal

Direct deposit using the reference ‘donation’ to:

Comms Declare
BSB: 313149
Account: 12358863

We can arrange for larger donations to be tax deductible. Please email us for details.