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Four Havas agencies have lost their B Corp status, following an investigation by B Lab, the nonprofit organisation responsible for B Corp certification.
This landmark decision comes after sustained pressure and a formal complaint by Clean Creatives and a coalition of 26 B Corp agencies, condemning Havas' association with oil and gas giant Shell. The agencies to have lost their B Corp status include Havas London, Havas Lemz, Havas New York and Havas Immerse. B Lab has stated that even though Havas' four agencies that are B Corp certified had no direct relationship with Shell, the agency's association with Shell violated the community’s core values as stated in their Declaration of Interdependence.
The decision underscores the growing reputational risks facing advertising and public relations firms that portray themselves as climate champions while simultaneously advancing the interests of oil and gas companies.
Earlier this year, UN Secretary-General Antonió Guterres called on marketing and PR firms to cut their ties with fossil companies in a special address on climate action.
