Hill+Knowlton Strategies, the PR firm handling communications for COP27, is being publicly condemned by over 400 scientists for its “incompatible” support of fossil fuel companies.

In an open letter addressed to PR firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies, 400 scientists from non-profit advocacy group the Union of Concerned Scientists have fiercely criticised the PR firm for its “incompatible” dual representations. Hill+Knowlton is in charge of COP27’s communications but, with its clients including ExxonMobil and Chevron, the firm is facing accusations of hypocrisy.

The open letter was published ahead of the COP27 summit this month and urges Hill+Knowlton to “end its relationship with fossil fuel clients that are worsening the climate crisis, and commit fully to the climate action the world desperately needs.”

The letter concludes: “Representing the fossil fuel industry undermines Hill+Knowlton’s legitimacy and credibility in working on behalf of COP27. We call on Hill+Knowlton to end its relationship with fossil fuel clients that are worsening the climate crisis and commit fully to the climate action the world desperately needs.”

A trend in PR firms facing criticism for their support of fossil fuels was raised at The Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) Annual Conference last month. TED speaker and co-founder of creative agency Futerra, Solitaire Townsend, opened the day’s talks by declaring: “PR is part of the problem.

“We need to be part of the solution; not only that, but we can be the missing part of the solution that everyone has been waiting for.”