June 21, 2022: VoxComm, the global voice for agencies, is supporting the international roll out of Ad Net Zero, the programme to reduce the emissions from advertising operations to net zero by 2030. Working closely with major advertising agency holding companies, advertisers, and regional and local agency associations, VoxComm will help to drive forward the Ad Net Zero initiative, ahead of a planned global Ad Net Zero summit to run in parallel with the COP27 Climate Change Conference in November.

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Announced at the Cannes Lions festival, the goal of the new Global Ad Net Zero group is to rapidly establish cross-industry coalitions in key markets. Its immediate focus is on founding chapters in the US, Singapore and the EU, and working in partnership with the UK team, led by the Advertising Association, ISBA and the IPA, which launched a local programme in November 2021.

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Tamara Daltroff, President of VoxComm, said: “Ever since the Ad Net Zero programme was launched in the UK, it became obvious that a well-crafted plan and comprehensive guidelines can bring all the industry stakeholders on the same page. Rolling out a global version of the initiative was the next logical step, and well received by the VoxComm members, who are invested and keen to work on this important topic across their local markets.” “As advocates for a sustainable industry, agencies are very well acquainted with the increasing demand for change from consumers and the political scene.

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Equipped with the Ad Net Zero principles, they will find these rough seas more navigable and, regardless of where they are located, bring value to the initiative and its ultimate ambition.” Joining forces with VoxComm on Ad Net Zero are some of the world’s major advertising agency holding companies, dentsu international, Havas, Interpublic Group, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe and WPP, along with Unilever – the world’s second largest advertiser, Google, Meta and European media company Sky.

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Ad Net Zero will also be supported by US trade bodies 4A’s and ANA, the WFA representing global advertisers, IAB, EACA and the IAA to extend the programme from the UK to other major advertising markets. Ascential, owners of LIONS, has played a major role in convening this international action to tackle the climate emergency. The Ad Net Zero 5-point action plan pledges to reduce the carbon emissions from advertising operations to net zero by 2030, 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.

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The UK programme provides a roadmap for development in other markets, with the flexibility to adapt and develop-market specific solutions. It offers tools readily available internationally, like the AdGreen carbon calculator to help to measure and reduce emissions from advertising production.

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Marla Kaplowitz, President and CEO of the 4A’s, said: “Agencies have the responsibility to stay ahead of issues and trends impacting the industry like sustainability not just for internal purposes, but to help influence the brands they support. From responding to the climate crisis to infusing creative solutions that highlights sustainable commerce — agencies are partnering with brands now more than ever to help them navigate as well as educate and expand the understanding of what this means and what we can do to support. Initiatives like Ad Net Zero help set the standard for where we need to take our focus with the industry in the U.S.”

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Stephan Loerke, CEO, World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), said: “Climate change is the defining issue of our age not just for the ad industry but for society at large. Marketers have a key role to play in persuading consumers to adopt behaviours that lead to a more sustainable future. The international launch of Ad Net Zero is a crucial first step in terms of getting our own house in order and ensuring its own operations go net zero. It perfectly complements the WFA Planet Pledge, which provides a framework for marketers to lead in driving consumer behaviour change.”

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The global advertising industry, as measured by advertising media investment, was worth $594,322bn in 2020. The top 20 advertising markets account for 89.3% of this spend and these markets will be the focus for the rollout of the programme following the US and Singapore. The global roll-out follows formation of the first international chapter of Ad Net Zero in Ireland, led by the country’s trade association, the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI). The second Ad Net Zero Global Summit will take place on November 9-10 2022 as an online event, free to attend for all advertising professionals from around the world. The summit’s agenda will cover the progress being made on the implementation of Ad Net Zero and the challenges to be tackled by the world’s advertising community.