Edelman confirms sustainability client review applies to Australia
Edelman has confirmed to Mumbrella that its 60-day client review is global, and therefore will also include Edelman’s clients in Australia.
When asked whether the client review is a result of The F-List 2021: 90 Ad and PR Companies Working for the Fossil Fuel Industry by Comms Declare and Clean Creatives, an Edelman spokesperson stated: “No”.
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In the report, that was released in September, the clients of Edelman that were categorised as “current or recent fossil fuel contracts (since 2008)” include Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Puget Sound Energy, API (Autralian Petroleum Institute), NMA, AFPM (American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers), EEI (Edison Electric Institute), National Association of Manufacturers, TransCanada and Task Force on Shale Gas.
Edelman’s client review aims to establish science and values-based criteria for client engagement, to formalise clear criteria for climate communications, and to create a task force for internal climate conversations.
In response to Mumbrella’s questions about the review, including a question about Edelman’s current clients in Australia, an Edelman spokesperson said: “We are not in a position to respond with detail on these questions until we have completed our review process fully. We will be sharing the results following this process.”
Edelman appointed Robert Casamento as its first global head of climate. Martin Whittaker, CEO of Just Capital, has also been appointed as the senior advisor of Edelman Impact, a recently established global strategy which seeks to strengthen its SG, Sustainability, Purpose and Climate offerings.
In a media statement, Edelman CEO Richard Edelman said: “This is the next phase in Edelman’s development, and we will use the net zero emissions target by 2050 as a guide for all of our work. Communications has a critical role in addressing the climate emergency. Adding Martin and Robert to our existing team of Purpose and Sustainability leaders is a most serious commitment on the part of the firm to lead.”
Following the publication of The F-List report mentioned above, Clean Creatives published an open letter urging Edelman to drop ExxonMobil as a client, with 100 celebrities signing the letter.
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