Edelman, the world’s largest Public Relations (PR) company, has been handed a controversial United Nations (UN) contract.
According to an investigation in Climate Home News, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has awarded the PR giant a $835,000 contract to manage COP30’s media strategy.
Edelman is tasked with crafting a strategic narrative, managing international media relations, creating digital content, and navigating any PR crises that may arise during the crucial COP30 November UN climate talks.
Conflict of interest? Edelman’s Shell ties raise COP30 questions
However, the UN and the PR giant have been strongly criticised for this, and there could be a conflict of interest.
This is because the same executive who will work on COP30 is also working with the oil and gas giant Shell’s work in Brazil to ramp up oil and gas output—in stark contrast to the objective of COP30.
Antonio Guterres’ climate stance clashes with Edelman’s fossil ties
It also contrasts with the views expressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The Portuguese UN head strongly advocates climate action and has spoken out strongly against fossil fuel companies that continue to explore new fossil fuel sources to extract.
‘Mad Men’: Guterres’ rebuke of PR firms working with Big Oil
Guterres has described PR firms that work with fossil fuel companies as ‘Mad Men’.
There are growing calls for PR and advertising companies to stop promoting fossil fuel producers.
In 2024, Edelman renewed its global partnership with Shell.
The company has long-standing ties to the fossil fuel industry. In addition to Shell, it has worked for ExxonMobil and Chevron.
Critics have questioned how a PR company who have a long history of doing promotional work for the fossil fuel industry can be handed a UN climate contract.
Edelman and UNDP defend COP30 contract amid backlash
Responding to the criticism, an Edelman spokesperson has reiterated their support for climate action:
“Edelman is committed to being part of the change by working with diverse clients, including energy companies, who have a vital role to play in the transition as affirmed at COP28 and in the UAE Consensus,” referring to the accord at the Dubai summit that called for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
The COP30 presidency also issued a statement and defended its actions, explaining that the firm met the desired criteria for the role and had won a “rigorous” selection process—carried out on Brazil’s behalf by UNDP with input from the presidency.
Edelman Brazil chief to manage both Shell and COP30 campaigns
Ana Julião leads Edelman’s Brazilian arm and is listed among the people assigned to the COP30. Her CV cites her expertise in promoting the fossil fuel giants Petrobas, Shell, and Chevron.
According to Edelman Brazil, Julião supervises the company’s contract with Shell.
Shell’s backtracking on it’s net-zero strategy
Shell is among the fossil fuel companies that have recently scaled back and reversed their net-zero agenda, refocusing on fossil fuels.
The company is headquartered in London, the capital of the UK. It is the biggest foreign oil and gas developer in Brazil and is ramping up oil and gas investments across South America.
Anders Lorenzen is the founding Editor of A greener life, a greener world.
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