The post H&M Foundation Partners with New Zero World to Transform Climate Storytelling appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>The year-long partnership sees H&M Foundation provide critical funding for New Zero World’s Research Hub and Young Creatives programmes; focusing on creating the tools and platforms needed to build on the momentum and insights generated by our white paper A New Era in Climate Communications.
“We’re on a mission to overcome the barriers to climate action through the power of creativity and communications, and at the heart of this partnership is a shared passion for the power of inspiring storytelling to shift narratives.
“Working together we have an opportunity to build on the momentum created by our white paper A New Era in Climate Communications and ensure insights become action and action becomes impact on the journey to a world where everyone is inspired to be a part of the climate solution.” Natalia Vega, Founder and Executive Director, New Zero World
With the support of the H&M Foundation, our new partnership focuses on developing our interactive Digital Knowledge Hub and new work to help communicators in all sectors cut through the noise and create positive change.
“Through the Climate Communications Accelerator initiative, we’re not just looking to inform – we’re looking to transform. We want to tell stories that inspire, challenge, and drive us all towards a future where we live within planetary boundaries.” said H&M Foundation.
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]]>The post 2024 Tribute to Champions of Good appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>dedicated to showcasing the vital role and responsibility of the advertising industry in promoting
social and environmental awareness while prioritizing sustainability.
Its annual Champions of Good – presented at Cannes Lions – celebrate movement makers, advertisers, non-profits, and ad industry leaders who have played leading roles in advancing social and environmental causes through personal contributions.
This year we were delighted that New Zero World founder Natalia Vega was the recipient of the Movement Maker accolade, alongside this year’s other winners:
- Philip Thomas, Chief Executive at Ascential & Chair at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity – Ad Industry – for his pioneering leadership at Cannes Lions, where he has championed sustainability and inspired global action in the creative industry.
- Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia – Brand – for steadfastly prioritized environmental sustainability and ethical business practices setting a precedent for global corporate responsibility
- Ibtissame ‘Betty’ Lachgar, Founder & Coordinator of the MALI Movement – Non-profit
Leader – for her relentless advocacy and leadership in advancing women’s rights, LGBT rights, and individual liberties in Morocco through the MALI Movement.
“Since our first Champion, Kofi Annan, in 2009, who united the United Nations with the advertising industry, we have made significant progress and continued to grow. Like the Olympic flame, our four Champions of 2024 will receive their ACT Tributes from past Champions, symbolizing the ongoing legacy,” says Hervé de Clerck, ACT Responsible Dreamlead.
“This work is only possible because of the many people working to support it, so it was an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of all of our fantastic New Zero World allies – thank you,” said Nataia after the event.
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]]>The post Cannes Lions: “The Most Important Brief” appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>On Tuesday, June 18th. We’ll be at the Goals House in Cannes, joined by Katja Iversen, CEO of the Museum for the United Nations, gathering some of the biggest names and brightest minds in creativity, to begin work on a world-changing campaign; ‘The Most Important Brief’.
Delivered through the Earth Public Information Collaborative (EPIC), which we launched in partnership with the Global Commons Alliance, this is a first-of-a-kind collaboration aligning brands, the creative community, global media, storytellers and the science around SDG Goal 13, an urgent call to action on climate change and nature loss.
Convened by Tim Kelly, Executive Director, EarthHQ at Global Commons Alliance and moderated by Natalia Vega, New Zero World founder and CMO of EPIC, discussion will focus on drivers of behavioral change of the global population, how EPIC is set up to scale messages of sustainability across the world, and how we can develop a “generation-defining” creative brief together.
If you would like to connect to find out more about our New Zero World programmes, please email the team [email protected]
Here’s what else we’re up to at Cannes:
- International Advertising Association & ACT Responsible
We are delighted to be partnering with the International Advertising Association and ACT Responsible to bring the New Zero World message to the Sustainability Hall at Cannes Lions. Look out for our displays and panel sessions, as well as our on the ground team, who will be interviewing leaders who are making an impact.
- Young Creatives
Our Young Creatives initiative is returning to Cannes to focus on how the next generation of creative talent can reshape the industry, including a special briefing for young creators to be held in the Sustainability Hall.
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]]>The post A System Change Approach to Communications appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>The post A System Change Approach to Communications appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>The post ‘NEICC’ – downloadable edition appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>Supported by more than 40 contributing organizations and 60 experts from across industries including advertising, marketing, and communications, as well as the creative and climate science communities, this paper has been designed as a key resource for all those who share our vision for a world in which everyone is inspired to play their part in the climate solution, understands what they can do, and has the opportunity to do it.
“We live in an age where each of us is bombarded by messages every day, yet the most important ones are the ones that seem to struggle the most to get through. By bringing together insights from so many incredible contributors, we hope the downloadable addition of A New Era in Climate Communications will help to not only show the world why we need to rethink the way we communicate about climate change, but provide many of the tools for us to do it.” said New Zero World founder Natalia Vega.
The timing of the downloadable edition, updated for 2024, is significant. More than half of the world’s population live in countries due to elect new leaders this year, while at the same time the threats of misinformation, disinformation and polarization – fueled by advances in AI – have the potential to undermine our ability to address the climate crisis relies on how well we can drive trust and engagement in climate solutions.
The white paper is structured around key themes that are crucial for effective climate communication:
Re: focus | Understanding the interconnectedness of climate change with social justice and economic stability.
Re: wind | Addressing the history of misinformation and greenwashing that has hindered progress.
Re: think | Crafting narratives that resonate with people’s lived experiences.
Re: wire | Leveraging insights from psychology and neuroscience to create impactful campaigns.
Re: design | Moving away from doom narratives and equipping communicators with new skills.
Re: imagine | Envisioning a sustainable future with the help of the creative industry’s expertise.
Re: create | Balancing urgency with hope to empower audiences and inspire action.
Re: sist | Challenging the status quo and advocating for genuine transformation².
Re: start | Learning from other efforts.
Our hope is for A New Era in Climate Communications to not only act as a rallying call for those engaged in the climate story, but to be an invitation to communications professionals and creatives to engage deeply with the issue of climate change and to use their skills to supercharge the solutions.
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]]>The post Impact Report 2023/24 appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>The post Impact Report 2023/24 appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>The post A note from Adam McKay appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>Yes, it’s carbon pollution that is cooking our planet — causing immense human suffering, escalating worldwide chaos, and increasingly dire pleas from scientists.
But the biggest obstacle to solving this problem isn’t the science. It’s the BS oil companies have blasted us with for decades to create confusion and delay.
We’re launching Yellow Dot to combat, correct, and challenge decades of disinformation pushed by oil companies, and amplified by the politicians in their pocket and the large swaths of the media the polluters hold sway over.
We aim to take the constant sales pitches and distorted realities that bombard most of us on a daily basis, shred them, and use the remains to tell a new story based on science and reality. And yes that last sentence was sponsored by American Express.
We’ll use creativity, humor, and the vast well of artistic talent around us, to empower more people to be part of a bullshit-free conversation about what we’re facing and what we can do about it.
Urgency, scale, and clarity are words we like. We also like the word “corduroy” but that is not relevant to this subject.
We exist to cause trouble. Silly trouble, angry trouble, the kind of “trouble” that isn’t trouble at all, but is only labeled trouble by people who profit from you not making any of it.
Yellow Dot is the sun, which is a part of the problem thanks to the heat-trapping pollution from burning fossil fuels… and also a major part of the solution.
It is a yellow light about to turn red.
We are here to make life healthier and safer for people, and to serve all who support that goal, including organizations, scientists, and activists all over the planet.
Do you need something? A video, a documentary team, graphics, billboards, a foot rub? Just ask.
We are non-profit. We accept donations.
The oil companies have more money than God. Really. We saw God’s portfolio. It’s mostly bonds and GE stock.
We also welcome your ideas and thoughts. You can send them here.
Welcome to Yellow Dot. Let’s get to work before it turns red.
— Adam McKay
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]]>The post Announcing Earth Public Information Collaborative appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>Global Commons Alliance and New Zero World Announce the Earth Public Information Collaborative (EPIC)
EPIC (Earth Public Information Collaborative) is a first of its kind, new initiative drawing on world class marketers, the creative community, media and tech power, and climate science experts. The mission is to bridge the gap between science and society, and to catalyze public engagement at a global scale to achieve a more just and sustainable world. This fusion of media, tech, and@ advertising industries with science communicators is the beginning of a new public service ecosystem, drawing on leaders throughout the communications world to support a new era where citizens everywhere have access to vital science, data, and solutions on climate. EPIC will also serve as a centralized communications resource, enabling organizations, companies, campaigners and policymakers to access reliable evidence-based information, mutually learn and effectively communicate the urgency of our human and planetary climate crisis.
As the climate crisis accelerates at an unprecedented rate, a global communications strategy is critical to exposing the problem, translating new scientific tipping points, and harnessing our collective imagination towards a more just and sustainable path forward. EPIC plays a critical role in convening cross-sector stakeholders and ambassadors to collectively engage humanity at scale with public service campaigns, accurate science and reporting, and accessible resources designed for broad public engagement.
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]]>The post Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>New research quantifies the conditions needed for communities and economies to thrive – and provides guide for leaders to operate within Earth’s finite limits.
- Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries provide one of the most holistic measurements of Earth’s finite limits, and mark a step change in understanding how to protect people and planet.
- New quantifications of the limits of Earth’s vital systems (such as climate, biodiversity, water and air) include impacts on people – measured for the first time in the same units as planetary stability.
- The findings underscore the urgent need for action across all Earth’s vital systems, the injustice inherent in current world targets, and the need for just transformations.
- The analysis is set to become the scientific backbone of the next generation of sustainability targets and practices, which are broadening their focus beyond climate, and is aligned with the recently published ‘science based targets for nature’ by the Science Based Targets Network.
- Leaders call on the public and private sectors to urgently adopt the boundaries in their sustainability efforts, to mitigate risk and create the conditions for thriving societies and economies.
New research published today in Nature defines a set of Earth System Boundaries that scientifically quantify safety of people as well as stability of the planet – which until now have not been measured in the same units. This work builds on existing knowledge and marks a leap in understanding of how to protect the planet’s finite resources and create the conditions necessary for communities and economies to thrive.
Co-authored by over forty leading natural and social scientists from the Earth Commission, and led by Prof. Johan Rockström, Prof. Joyeeta Gupta and Prof. Qin Dahe, the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries provide a scientific foundation for assessing the stability and resilience of the planet and the connection therein with human wellbeing. These Earth System Boundaries can guide companies and governments in evaluating risks, performance and opportunities as they navigate urgent efforts to achieve a net zero, nature positive and equitable future, especially in combination with just transformation practices.
The Earth Commission was established by the Global Commons Alliance – a coalition of 70+ leading organisations working to safeguard the global commons, including the World Economic Forum, World Business Council For Sustainable Development, The Nature Conservancy, Capitals Coalition, and Future Earth – which hosts the scientific secretariat of the Earth Commission.
The Earth System is made up of many interconnected processes that keep our planet stable or, when disrupted, radically alter its ability to provide a habitable environment. The Earth Commission’s research explores processes in climate, air, water – both ground and surface water – biodiversity – within natural ecosystems and working landscapes – and fertilisers – both nitrogen and phosphorus.
While previous research such as the ‘Planetary Boundaries’ have studied the ‘safe’ limits of these processes, this is the first to incorporate ‘justice’ into scientific analysis, using the same units of measurement. This means the scientists identified limits at which humans are protected from significant harm resulting from planetary changes. These ‘just’ boundaries are in some places more stringent than the ‘safe’ boundaries. Additional work from the Commission identifies the conditions needed for people to access resources for a dignified life.
Almost all of the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries have been breached, adding urgency for accelerating action to meet existing sustainability goals, including the Paris Agreement for climate, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This science emphasises that these goals must also be achieved in a just manner.
Prof. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and co-author of the report, said: “All the models today that take us to net zero assume that nature will continue to provide buffering capacity against global warming. There are nine biophysical processes and systems that regulate the state of the Earth System – the Planetary Boundaries – the Earth Commission took six of these and scientifically quantified them with safety and justice considerations to indicate a safe landing zone for people and the planet. Working holistically across these domains is crucial to our ability to reach net zero.”
Prof. Joyeeta Gupta, Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam and co-author of the report, said: “Justice is a necessity for humanity to live within planetary limits. This is a conclusion seen across the scientific community in multiple heavyweight environmental assessments, including our own. It is not a political issue. Overwhelming evidence shows that a just and equitable approach to both goal setting and transformation to achieve the goals is essential to planetary stability. We cannot have a safe planet without justice. Anyone building a resilient company, institution or nation for the long term must work towards this future.“
A call for leadership
As the most up-to-date understanding of the planet’s limits to supporting thriving societies, the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries are set to become the scientific underpinning for the next generation of sustainability targets, expectations and actions. For example, the Science Based Targets Network – a group of organisations providing tools for companies to transform their impact on nature – has just released its first iteration of targets for water and land, which are informed by the scientific literature, and are now being road tested by seventeen major companies. By designing sustainability efforts around the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries and just transformation, business leaders will be able to stay
This emerging science quantifies both the influence of humans on the Earth System, and the influence of the Earth System on humans. Building on existing frameworks, it integrates a justice perspective for the first time – which includes minimising human exposure to significant harm, and ensuring access to the resources needed for a dignified life and freedom from poverty for everyone. By quantifying these conditions in the same units of measurement as the conditions for stability, the scientists say they have defined the Safe and Just Boundaries.
Of the eight Earth Systems, human activities have pushed seven beyond their Safe and Just Boundaries and into the risk zone – threatening both planetary and human health. This highlights the urgent need for global leadership, rapid decision-making and just transformation toward a ‘Safe and Just space.’
Transforming our economies to operate within the limits of the planet offers huge opportunities for business leaders to stay ahead of regulatory scrutiny, meet the expectations of an increasingly conscious consumer and stakeholder base, and protect the communities, economies and natural resources upon which their operations depend. These boundaries allow leaders to see a more complete picture of the risks they face and supercharge their sustainability efforts, with a comprehensive framework for measurement and action that can be applied across markets, at both national and regional level. Global businesses including AB InBev, Carrefour, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, H&M Group, Holcim Group, Nestle and Tesco are now setting science-based targets for nature alongside their climate targets, informed by the same science that Earth System Boundaries have drawn from.
This work is more prescient than ever following the recent IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report, which stressed that – despite the richest 1% of the world’s population being responsible for double the CO2 emissions of the poorest 50% – climate change has increased inequality, and will continue to do so without action. This science will equip leaders to build justice and human wellbeing into their decision-making on sustainability.
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]]>The post Harnessing The Power of Creativity for a Greener Future appeared first on A New Era in Climate Communications.
]]>Creative Denmark releases white paper to accelerate green transition through creativity
All across Europe, a shift is happening. The shift is to a greener future, the so-called ‘green transition’, where consumers are starting to choose more sustainable paths, businesses are moving to more sustainable practices thanks to both consumer demand and green incentives, and communities, governments and societies at large can see the path ahead to a sustainable future. We can see where we need to go. But how to get there, and get there faster, remains a challenge for many. We have spent the last year at Creative Denmark looking deeply into how creativity can help accelerate this green transition and help individuals, business and societies create a sustainable future. Our new white paper ‘Creativity as a driver for green transition’, that will be launched September 19th, during Climate Week NYC, takes a deep dive into the hidden value of creativity as a tool to drive sustainable change and a green future. In this article you get a sneak peek to the topics we touch upon in the white paper. As Daria Krivonos, CEO of the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies notes in the white paper, change is uncomfortable, but there is no alternative to creating a sustainable world, so the sooner we can embrace it, the better.
“I believe that creativity is not only a key driver for the green transition, but also a vital tool for businesses looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.”
Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs.
Starting with the individual
There is a multilayered approach to the green transition that takes in individuals, businesses, and systemic change. Each of them plays their part in making the shift happen. Starting at the individual level, creativity has a role to play in helping shape behavioural change. If you consider how marketing and advertising industries use their understanding of how people behave and why to influence behaviour, you can see how it can help in shifting them towards a greener state of being.
Charlie Stjerneklar, CEO of Kreativitet & Kommunikation (Creativity & Communication, red.), the industry organisation looking after the communications and influence industry, has seen the power of Danish advertising agencies first hand, and cites positive examples of brands from Coors to IKEA using Danish creative ideas to shape these new, climate-friendly behaviours.
“While the creative toolbox we use hasn’t changed much,” he says, “it now is being put into action in new ways and for new purposes… We can change the world with creativity – if we want.”
Applying creativity to business models
Individual actions and behaviours are important, but so too are actions that take place on a larger scale, including rethinking how businesses operate. Moving the ethos from a ‘take, make, waste’ model to a circular business model takes effort, commitment, and creativity but is an essential action on a planet with finite resources. Critical creative thinking needs to be done to work through problems, educate staff and consumers, and fundamentally rethink how we do business as a whole. Problem-solving at scale with stakes on this level needs a level of daring and a willingness to experiment – traits that require creativity.
In the paper, Circular Economy Expert Sara Lindeblad Wingstrand of Boston Consulting Group discusses how this new business model is an integral part of the solution to the environmental crisis that will need bold investor moves, ambitious policies, and radical innovation if it is to be successful. It’s a daunting task, but as many Danish businesses are able to prove, not an impossible one. From furniture companies offering reuse models and take-back schemes to businesses creating high-end products from waste, Danish businesses are already operating and innovating in this sphere, providing examples to follow.
“We need to think differently, involve and engage all stakeholders, and let sustainability become part of our everyday thinking and DNA. But most importantly, we need to include the dimension of beauty and aesthetics to turn the transformation into something irresistible.”
Torben Klitgaard, CEO, BLOXHUB.
Creating a desire for change
Making the sustainable choice irresistible is another key theme in the white paper. Bridging the gap between knowing about climate change and wanting to do something about it on an individual, business or systemic level is all about shaping a desire for it. Citing examples of storytelling and the power of imagination as drivers for this desire, Julie Hjort, Director of Sustainable Transitions at the Danish Design Center clarifies that science needs a little creative magic to help people bridge that gap.
“Science has told us what to move away from,” she said. “Our imagination must tell us where to go next. We must dare to imagine a living, sustainable, and circular society where people and the planet thrive.”
Shaping a new kind of systemic thinking
Beyond shaping individual desires and creating business imperatives, changing the system at a systemic level can accelerate far wider change. In the report, Connie Hedegaard, Former European Commissioner for Climate Action, explains how the European Commission is driving incentives across European societies to lead to a carbon-free future, recognising the global nature of the climate crisis: we are all connected, after all.
In Denmark, the new Bauhaus project Desire works across multiple disciplines, considering how they are all connected, to shape a better future. It’s a unique way to work on a systems level across multiple sectors, using collaboration and a set of principles to create better places to live. By throwing out profit as a guiding factor and instead looking at the values of belonging, circular mindsets, planetary perspective, agency and aesthetics, three pilot projects are ploughing a new path.
Creativity as a driver for change
From the power of advertising to the problem-solving solutions business leaders need to find, and the systemic shifts that move us all in the same direction, creativity can power a faster and more desirable transition into a greener age. As the examples of Danish businesses in the white paper show, it is possible to adapt and change, innovate with the environment in mind, and succeed in a global and local market.
Creativity is the missing link when it comes to empowering individuals to take action, as well as shaping incentives that drive better business and societal change. It’s the secret sauce that makes us want to be a part of the green revolution, rather than stick to the status quo. And, as we rethink how to live and work in a world that does not have limitless resources, there is no future without it.
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