Ad Net Zero Urges Ad Industry Climate Action for Sydney Week

Ad Net Zero Australia Champions Climate Action During Sydney Week

Ad Net Zero Australia is rallying the advertising and media sectors to intensify efforts against climate change during Sydney’s Climate Action Week. Taking place from March 9th to 13th, the initiative features a series of practical events designed to drive real action. Organised by the Climate Action Foundation in collaboration with the City of Sydney, Climate Action Week Sydney annually draws hundreds of community-led events across the city, all focused on shaping a more sustainable future.

‘Change Happens Locally’—A Call for Industry Leadership

This year’s theme, ‘Change Happens Locally’, is a pointed invitation to marketers, agencies, media owners, and technology partners. The core message: impactful climate progress begins with everyday choices—from campaign briefs to production methods, media selection, and the narratives promoted through advertising. These daily decisions collectively influence the city’s—and the industry’s—carbon footprint.

Ad Net Zero: Uniting the Industry for Sustainability

Launched in October 2024, Ad Net Zero Australia represents a historic collaboration among the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA), Advertising Council Australia (ACA), Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia (IAB), and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA). For the first time, these four peak bodies are jointly committed to a singular sustainability objective: supporting the decarbonisation of the advertising industry.

All Ad Net Zero events during Climate Action Week Sydney are free and open to all, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to broad industry involvement. Arum Nixon, who leads Ad Net Zero Australia, emphasized, “Advertising shapes culture, drives demand, and influences billions in investment every year. Our sector has both a responsibility and a unique chance to cut emissions and accelerate change across the economy.”

From Ambition to Action: Industry Events and Opportunities

“Climate Action Week isn’t about abstract ambitions,” Nixon continued. “It’s about practical steps. Whether your role is in strategy, creativity, media, production, or technology, there are actions you can take now. We’re inviting everyone in the industry to get informed, get involved, and be part of the solution.”

Key Events During Climate Action Week Sydney

  • Connecting to Nature: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling
    Presented by Ad Net Zero and Publicis Groupe
    Wednesday, March 11th, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm at Publicis Groupe, Pyrmont
    Actor and environmental communicator Tessa de Josselin will explore how storytelling can foster deeper connections to nature and inspire behavior change. Creative leaders will discuss the implications for advertising, offering insights ideal for strategists, creatives, content creators, and marketers interested in positive cultural impact.
  • Change Happens Locally: Sustainability in Action
    Presented by dentsu Australia
    Thursday, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm at dentsu Sydney, Millers Point
    This interactive session features leaders from Ad Net Zero, dentsu, and brand partners. Topics include measuring and reducing media emissions, evolving production practices, aligning marketing with climate objectives, and influencing large systems. The session is designed for teams ready to move from intention to implementation, followed by networking opportunities.
  • The Path to Planet-Positive TV Production
    Presented by SBS
    Tuesday, March 10th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at UTS Startups, Ultimo
    Industry experts from SBS, NITV, ITV, BBC, and Sustainable Screens Australia will share case studies from decarbonising major productions like Alone and Mastermind, including First Nations on-location projects. This event is essential for professionals in advertising, content production, or commissioning seeking practical insights on lower-carbon production.

Ongoing Commitment Beyond Climate Action Week

Ad Net Zero Australia’s commitment to climate action extends well beyond Climate Action Week. The initiative offers ongoing training, tools, and guidance to help organizations measure and reduce emissions throughout the advertising supply chain. Recent efforts include developing a global framework for measuring media greenhouse gas emissions, releasing toolkits for agency decarbonisation, and providing resources for brands to foster sustainable behaviours through their messaging.

Looking ahead to 2026, Ad Net Zero Australia aims to scale up its impact by expanding adoption and accelerating progress industry-wide. The focus will remain on uniting the advertising sector to deliver measurable climate action and lead the shift toward a low-carbon economy.


This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.