“ESG continues to be central to almost all of our corporate profiling activity for clients, be it through media reporting, film production or social media commentary. We’ve seen a real shift in interest toward the energy transition, including EVs and hydrogen, taking the spotlight slightly from renewables like wind and solar.

“Similarly, energy efficiency and the energy crisis have cast a further layer of debate when it comes to ESG and managing rising energy prices. Energy metering and the introduction of market-wide half-hourly data is a growing area for discussion.

“Green bonds and sustainable investing, for both environmental and social impact, are also high on the agenda, with ESG being implemented at multiple levels within our clients’ organisations and becoming central to some of their service offerings.

“Responsible investing, products and services will continue to thrive and be subject to ever-more scrutiny, meaning robust messaging and transparency are key to how these initiatives are profiled and used to develop brand identity.”

Andrew McLachlan, PR director, Media Zoo

“ESG has been dragged further into a culture war that has nothing at all to do with environmental or societal risk factors and everything to do with the polarised state of US politics. Yet while folks squabble over the jargon, an avalanche of new ESG regulation is about to hit for all businesses with a footprint in the EU.

“At the same time, purpose is too often misused by marketers as a sustainability strapline, which increases the risk of companies falling foul of ESG-related greenwashing regulations. And far, far too few companies are connecting these two ideas – ESG and purpose – in the way investors and the world needs them to be connected: as an integrated narrative and strategy for positive impact.

“We have to do better. ESG without purpose is just compliance: the best you’ll get is a sort of ‘impact net-zero’. Minimising negatives but not contributing positively beyond that. Purpose without ESG is either trying to deflect scrutiny by looking good, or outright greenwashing. Only by doing both do we get to a net gain for people and planet.”

Stuart Lambert, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Blurred

“From the business press to the cultural and even entertainment pages, as well as on our airwaves, extreme weather and climate event coverage has been propelled into the headlines and to the top of the news agenda. Climate and environment desks have expanded everywhere, including global heavyweights the New York Times, which now has a dedicated climate change desk, and Bloomberg, which has created Bloomberg Green Magazine, a global multiplatform news brand focused on climate change.

“These expansions have led to a proliferation of dedicated prize-winning reporters joining global outlets, and huge spikes in mainstream coverage around global events such as COP and Climate Action Week, and even entertainment offerings such as the Global Citizen NOW summit. 

“As PR professionals, there are now more opportunities than ever to highlight the ESG work of the clients, companies, individuals and celeb ambassadors we work with, both locally and globally. It also means that trust and nurtured relationships with these editors and newsrooms are more important than ever.”

Chloe Franses, founder, Franses