Introducing the Sustainable Communications and Engagement Series

As sustainability strategies mature, the pressure is increasing on how companies communicate progress, both within their value chains and to consumers.

Many organisations are now asking the same questions: how do we talk credibly about targets, trade-offs and incomplete journeys, without overclaiming or oversimplifying?

In response, Innovation Forum is launching the Sustainable Communication and Engagement Series. Across a set of focused events, we will explore how companies can build more honest, evidence-based narratives around sustainability, and how to engage different audiences.

The series brings together corporate leaders, communications specialists, NGOs and insight experts to unpack what’s working, what isn’t, and where expectations are moving.

Building credibility in sustainability storytelling: How B2B companies are strengthening trust through transparent communication

Tuesday 25 November 10am EST / 3pm GMT / 4pm CET

As companies set increasingly ambitious sustainability targets, the challenge is no longer just what to achieve, but how to communicate progress credibly and consistently across complex value chains.

This first webinar in the series explores how B2B companies are working with suppliers, partners and customers to strengthen trust through transparent and authentic sustainability communication.

We discuss how businesses are engaging stakeholders around goals, which strategies have worked (and which have not) when communicating across global value chains, and practical steps to keep messaging action-oriented and credible.

Panellists include:

• Nikki Barber, head of corporate communications, ofi
• Hannah Rizo, director of sustainability communications, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
• Enda Buckley, head of sustainability, Carbery Group
• Sara Neame, sustainability communications lead, Givaudan
• The session was moderated by Tanya Richard, chief operating officer and head of stakeholder engagement & sustainability communications, Innovation Forum

Click here to watch a video recording of the discussion

Building credibility in sustainability storytelling: B2C brands and the consumer trust gap

Thursday 22 January 9am EST / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET

As consumers pay closer attention to brands’ sustainability claims, the challenge is no longer solely what companies do, but how they explain it clearly and honestly.

The second webinar in the series will focus on consumer-facing brands and retailers. We will explore how to talk about complex topics such as supply chains, product impact and targets in a way that makes sense to everyday consumers – without overclaiming or greenwashing.

Discussion will cover what works (and what does not) in campaigns and product communication, approaches to avoiding greenwash and “greenhush” while staying ahead of regulation, and how to measure whether sustainability communication is building trust and influencing behaviour.

Panellists include:

• Sarah Whittaker, head of sustainability communications, Primark
• Ozlem Senturk, senior partner, global sustainable transformation practice, Kantar
• Katja Seidenschnur, global head of sustainability nutrition, Nestlé 

Register to join live

Building credibility in sustainability storytelling: How NGOs can strengthen trust through transparent communications

Thursday 5 February 9am EST / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET

As expectations around sustainability communication continue to rise, NGOs are under increasing pressure to demonstrate impact, explain complexity and be open about limitations. At the same time, they must maintain trust with donors, communities and partners while operating in an environment of heightened scrutiny and constrained resources.

This session, the third in the Sustainability Communications and Engagement series, will explore how NGOs are approaching sustainability communications in practice, focusing on:

• how NGOs are communicating impact, progress and setbacks more transparently
• the role of data, evidence and verification in strengthening credibility without overcomplicating messaging balancing compelling storytelling with accuracy, nuance and accountabilit
• navigating communications around corporate partnerships while maintaining trust and independence
• how expectations of NGO communications are evolving across donors, communities and business audiences

The discussion will examine what is working, where challenges remain, and what NGOs are doing differently as scrutiny of sustainability claims increases.

We’ll be hearing from:

• Kate Strizinger, director of brand, impact and communications, Fairtrade America
• Courtney Holm, board director, Green Seal

with additional panellists to be announced

Register to join live

We’re also building a network of professionals tackling similar challenges. If you’d like to hear more about upcoming sessions in the Sustainable Communication and Engagement Series or related stakeholder engagement projects, please complete this form.