The managing director of a North Wales PR agency chaired an industry panel on how organisations can work collaboratively on sustainable projects in the march towards net zero.
Anthony Bullick of Outwrite PR directed the discussion between panellists Rachel Lawrence from energy company SSE Renewables, Aaron Uddin of environmental consultancy ERM and Sarah Binnie, head of climate change, public policy, at NatWest.
The panel was part of the first day of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)’s 2021 National Conference, of which the overall theme was stakeholder engagement in a changing world.
Titled “Aligning with climate change”, the conversation chaired by Anthony explored how businesses working together on projects can create environmental impact in the UK as well as further afield, with a focus on building public trust and raising awareness.
Anthony, a chartered member of the CIPR and chair of the North West England regional committee, said: “Brands, and the web of clients and customers they find themselves in while working on collaborative projects, can deliver results far beyond what they can accomplish alone, by leveraging one another’s expertise, capabilities and resources.
“Action on climate change needs to be at the core of how every organisation conducts itself, and PR must have a voice at the top table as it’s our function to create or inspire behavioural change in others.
“Doing so in an environmentally positive manner, by building trust and raising awareness of the work already going on, is something I personally am passionate about.
“This feels particularly relevant while the UK hosts COP26 in Glasgow, and the panellists shared valuable insight into their varied roles and experiences.”
Outwrite’s clients include one of the UK’s largest rural broadband specialists Voneus, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, which is working on the world’s largest offshore wind farm at Dogger Bank, Warrington-based Watsons Solicitors and dementia specialist care home group Meddyg Care.
The agency specialises in integrated PR and communications, crisis PR, online reputation management and social media training.
The CIPR is the world’s only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners, with nearly 10,000 members. The organisation offers lifelong learning and professional development for PR professionals, as well as awards, an ethical code of conduct and a searchable PR register.