IPG Joins Industry Leaders to Announce Pathway to Net Zero

Jemma Gould, VP Sustainability and Communications at IPG, joined leaders from many of the world’s largest advertising companies and trade associations on the mainstage at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to announce the global rollout of Ad Net Zero.

Ad Net Zero was launched in the UK in November 2020 by the Advertising Association, ISBA and the IPA, and has over 100 advertisers, agencies, commercial media owners and production companies among its members.

“As we look at our impact on the world in terms of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, the work we produce and how we produce it is an important measure of our progress. As marketers, we have a special role to play in terms of our impact, because of the global reach of our work. From this perspective, we need to ensure equity in terms of our process, we need to understand our impact on the environment, and we need to be sensitive to the messages we create and what they convey. Working with organizations like Ad Net Zero is a great way to realize our climate goals and to work toward net zero as an industry and we are proud of this partnership,” commented Gould.

The Ad Net Zero 5-point action plan pledges to reduce the carbon emissions from UK advertising operations to net zero, with businesses committing to robust, verified plans to reduce their emissions. It also pledges to use the power of advertising to accelerate the switch to more sustainable products and services for consumers. The program offers tools like the AdGreen carbon calculator, of which IPG is a founding member, to help measure and reduce emissions from advertising production.

The new Ad Net Zero group will focus on rolling out the program in major advertising markets with an immediate focus on the US and the EU, working in partnership with the UK team.