This week marks the second Ad Net Zero Global Summit, the advertising industry’s response to the climate crisis, formed two years ago in the UK by the Advertising Association, IPA and ISBA.

This year, alongside a jam packed programme of events with 66 speakers from across the world in 28 sessions over the two days, Ad Net Zero has launched an updated training programme and published a refreshed free guide to help people develop better sustainability knowledge and skills.

“Every person in the advertising industry can take effective action in their role to help tackle climate change and build a net zero economy – we just need to be clear what those all important actions are.” says Seb Munden, Chair of Ad Net Zero and former General Manager, Unilever UK & Ireland.

He continued: “The Ad Net Zero training means any industry professional, worldwide, can now develop their expertise in sustainable advertising practices. The guide provides the latest sustainability know-how for businesses to begin their journey on measuring and reducing their carbon emissions. I encourage everyone in our industry from brands through to agency teams, from media owner sales teams to ad tech providers, to engage with these as urgent and mission-critical.”

The Ad Net Zero training (Essential Certificate) is now available in two forms - an updated version for UK advertising practitioners and a new international version to help professionals around the world. The latter will include information on the global rules and regulations to correctly promote environmental claims and avoid greenwashing. 

The training is made up of five to eight hours of learning and divided into five modules – Climate Fundamentals; Ad Net Zero; Changing the Way We Work; Sustainable Behaviour Change; and Understanding the Rules and Regulations Around Greenwashing in Advertising.

The training aims to equip professionals in the advertising and marketing industries with the knowledge and practical skills to take positive action and operate more sustainably. The course offers a combination of data and research, real-world insights from industry leaders, examples of best practice work, interactive activities, and practical tips to implement in day-to-day work.

The Ad Net Zero training initially launched in the UK and has seen more than 1,000 people enrolled from 137 companies across the advertising ecosystem, including M&C Saatchi and Meta.

“This year, we rolled-out Ad Net Zero training to our Creative Shop team across EMEA. It’s essential to empower our creative strategists in leading sustainability-related conversations with brands, production partners and media agencies.” says Isabelle Quevilly, Director of Creative Shop UK, Meta, “The training is a step forward for our industry to enable a consistent approach to reducing emissions across the advertising process.”

UK and international versions of the training are available from today on the IPA’s globally recognised CPD platform at a cost of £60 for Ad Net Zero Supporters and £120 for everyone else. To find out more or sign up for the training, please click here.