Climate Week Town Hall to Address the Future of Sustainability Storytelling
As the world gathers in New York City for Climate Week 2025, CommPRO will host its Climate Week Communications Town Hall on Sept. 24, bringing together a dynamic cross-section of leaders in communications, marketing, public relations and sustainability. This forum aims to confront one of the most pressing questions of our time: How can communicators effectively tell the story of the climate crisis with honesty, urgency and impact?
Held under Chatham House Rule to encourage open discussion, the Town Hall will begin with brief provocations from thought leaders in the private sector, government and NGOs, followed by an open-floor dialogue among participants. Attendees will include communications professionals, sustainability officers, brand strategists, agency executives, journalists and change-makers who recognize that climate storytelling is not just a marketing priority, but a strategic and moral imperative.
“This is not about spinning a greener narrative, it’s about leading with truth, even when the truth is messy,” said Fay Shapiro, publisher of CommPRO. “We created the Town Hall to give communicators a place to confront the tough questions, learn from one another, and help their organizations build trust through transparency and action.”
Moving Beyond Greenwashing
At the heart of the discussion will be the challenge of moving beyond greenwashing. As scrutiny increases from the public, regulators and investors, organizations are under pressure to demonstrate that their sustainability claims are not only aspirational but evidence-based. The conversation will explore how communicators can shift from vague environmental messaging to stories grounded in transparency, performance data and tangible impact.
Defining Real Accountability
Another focus will be defining what accountability truly looks like in corporate sustainability communications. With ESG targets under increasing examination, communicators are being asked to bridge the gap between operational complexity and public expectation. The Town Hall will examine how organizations can align messaging with measurable goals and disclose both progress and setbacks in a credible manner.
Navigating Polarization and Misinformation
The session will also address the growing tension between climate urgency and a fragmented media and political landscape. As misinformation proliferates and climate discourse becomes more polarized, communicators are walking a tightrope: engaging a wide range of stakeholders without alienating key audiences. Participants will discuss how to balance inclusive messaging with scientific integrity and how to build campaigns that can cut through ideological filters.
Gathering Industry Insights
To complement the Town Hall, CommPRO is inviting professionals across the communications field to contribute insights for a forthcoming editorial roundup on sustainability storytelling best practices.
What strategies are helping audiences truly connect with sustainability goals and which ones are not landing? Practitioners are being asked to share real-world examples of campaigns that sparked engagement, shifted perceptions or helped simplify complex environmental concepts.
Accuracy and transparency remain critical. CommPRO is exploring how communicators are avoiding the traps of greenwashing while maintaining message clarity and momentum. Contributors are also encouraged to share which channelsm whether short-form video, data visualization, long-form content or influencer partnerships, are most effective in reaching audiences that are skeptical, disengaged or fatigued.
Measurement is another key theme. Beyond media impressions and click-through rates, what metrics are being used to evaluate the impact of sustainability storytelling? From shifts in public sentiment to changes in employee behavior or stakeholder action, contributors will offer perspectives on how to assess communications success in a meaningful way.
CommPRO’s Climate Week Communications Town Hall is a working session. Whether you are developing ESG communications, navigating corporate disclosures, launching purpose-driven campaigns or advising C-suite leaders, this event offers a space to connect with peers, challenge assumptions and shape the future of climate communications.
