CLEAN CREATIVES SA

Clean Creatives SA, inspired by Clean Creatives in the US, is bringing together leading SA media agencies, their employees, and industry clients, to address the SA ad and PR industry’s work with the fossil fuels that are the principal cause of climate breakdown. 

Fossil fuels are coal, gas and oil. Burning and using fossil fuels is the biggest source of excess carbon in our atmosphere. Excess carbon is like a blanket, bringing global heating that threatens South Africa with a likely 6C–8C average temperature increase by 2100.

This temperature increase will compound water stress and threatens our food security. It brings sea-level rise, ocean acidification, increases in drought and wildfires: harming everyone, but harming vulnerable and poor people the most.

Continuing to work for fossil fuel companies hurts our communities. It also poses risks to brands that sincerely prioritise sustainability, and to their agencies.

The Clean Creatives pledge is the best way to show you are committed to a future for the creative industry that doesn’t include promoting climate-breaking carbon pollution.

As creatives or leaders of agencies, the pledge says that you will decline future contracts with the fossil fuel industry.

As clients, it says you will decline work with agencies that retain fossil fuel industry clients.

See the list of organizations that are excluded by the Clean Creatives pledge here.

Take the pledge:

“We will decline any future contracts with fossil fuel companies, trade associations, or front groups.”

Who is in?

View the list of agency signers here.


Loeries Creative Week 2022

Watch highlights from our panel discussion: “The Climate is Changing, is Advertising”?


 

The SA F-list 2024 Report

The second edition of the report listing advertising and PR agencies working for fossil fuels in South Africa is now available. Read the press release here and download the report below.

You can read the first edition of the report (2023) here.


Human Rights Day letter

On Human Rights Day 2023, a coalition of 23 organisations called on South African PR and advertising agencies to decline future work from fossil fuel companies. Read the full letter here.


More Resources

Learn more about climate change and advertising, greenwashing, and lobbying using the links below:

Clean Creatives South Africa: Frequently Asked Questions

InfluenceMap: Climate Policy Engagement in South Africa

Just Share: Introduction To Corporate Climate Lobbying in South Africa

Purpose Disruptors: Change The Brief

Solitaire Townsend Ted Talk: Are ad agencies, PR firms and lobbyists destroying the climate?

Still have questions? Get in touch here.

The South African campaign of Clean Creatives is a project of Fossil Free South Africa.