Disrupting Climate Deception

In this episode of the Age of Adoption podcast, host Keith Zakheim welcomes Duncan Meisel, Executive Director of Clean Creatives, an organization challenging PR and advertising agencies to reject fossil fuel clients. Drawing from his background in climate NGO communications, Duncan has pioneered a global movement to eliminate ties between creative agencies and fossil fuel companies. The conversation explores how Clean Creatives provides a pledge for agencies and brands, targets those working with polluters, and confronts the conflicts of interest that arise when agencies serve both sustainability-focused clients and fossil fuel companies simultaneously.

Despite current political headwinds facing climate initiatives, Duncan maintains an optimistic outlook grounded in planetary urgency and market fundamentals. He highlights how twice as much capital now flows into renewable energy compared to fossil fuels, and emphasizes that engagement typically increases during challenging political climates. For businesses navigating the climate transition, Duncan stresses the importance of focusing on material climate impacts that directly affect bottom lines—like insurance companies losing advertising revenue due to climate disaster—and building strategic plans that position organizations for success when the pendulum inevitably swings back toward climate action.