The Roman Declaration of Green Communication Responsibility
As communication professionals, we recognize our unique responsibility in shaping the narratives that drive collective action on climate and sustainability. The Declaration is our response to the United Nations 2030 Agenda — a commitment by communication professionals across the globe to place environmental integrity, transparency and ethical practice at the heart of everything we do. By adopting these principles and signing the Roman Declaration, we embrace our role as advocates for raising the bar for environmental communication worldwide.
The Declaration is grounded in internationally recognized frameworks for sustainable development and ethical communication, founded on these principles.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015. The increasing public demand and legal requirement to report on environmental, social and governance actions and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The essential role of communication in mobilizing the collective action necessary to achieve these objectives.
The International Declaration of Communications Professionals and Researchers for a Healthier, Viable, Better World (INTERDECOM) was launched in 2020.
Building on these foundations, the following ten principles define the standards for practice that communication professionals commit to upholding. Each reflects our professional responsibility to ensure green communication is honest, evidence-based and driven by a genuine commitment to sustainable outcomes.
Lead by example in responsible communication, always clearly distinguishing between verified fact, informed opinion and advocacy.
Always act ethically, placing the long-term interests of people, communities and the planet above short-term commercial or reputational gain.
Actively challenge disinformation — the deliberate spread of false or misleading content — and correct misinformation wherever it occurs, regardless of its source or intent.
Champion diversity and inclusion by supporting the development of local codes of best practice that respect cultural, linguistic, political and religious differences.
Ensure every green communication program actively considers and honestly represents its environmental impact.
Counter greenwashing with creative, evidence-based communication that demonstrates genuine environmental commitment and holds organizations accountable.
Ensure that every strategic and tactical plan is data-driven and that its outcomes are measurable and reported transparently.
Promote the education of internal and external stakeholders by sharing and championing examples of best practice in ethical green communication.
Actively seek and create opportunities — such as World Environment Day — to promote responsible green communication, contributing to broader public awareness of ethical practice and the professionals who lead it.
By respecting these guidelines seek to raise public awareness of best professional communication practice and practitioners.
As our contribution to the recognised duty, we declare our commitment and pledge to uphold its principles in our professional practice.
In doing so, we accept our shared responsibility to raise the bar for environmental communication and inspire to this commitment.
We commit to regularly reviewing our own practice against these principles and to encouraging the organisations we serve to adopt them.
