Can engagement, creativity and compliance co-exist?
In July, mandatory climate reporting requirements will come into effect in Australia, forcing businesses to disclose their contribution to long-term climate change and the risks it poses to their operations. Lucy Curtin, practice lead – impact communications at South Pole Australia, outlines what this means for the media and marketing industry.
We all need to work together if we’re going to solve the climate crisis, so let’s look at how these unlikely pals might end up the best of friends.
I’ve always loved the power of a good story, to be able to ‘spin a yarn’, to sharpen my comic timing skills and hit that punch line perfectly, to tell something that’s true, that above all engages an audience. It’s always been something I not only enjoy in my life outside work but is also a big reason why I love my job as a climate communicator.
Earlier in the year I spent time at the Sustainability Leaders’ Summit, and more recently at some events during Climate Active Week in Sydney. As anticipated, one of the hot button topics was that of mandatory climate disclosure. New rules are being finalised that will see thousands of Aussie companies required to disclose their climate impact, risks and strategy as part of their financial reporting as soon as FY2025. While listening to the speakers at the summit, I couldn’t help but think – will businesses just do the bare minimum to comply? Or will this be the catalyst toward something more creative and aspirational? Where might we see some start to take some big swings – set credible but ambitious targets and have a go at reaching them? I very much hope it’s the latter.
