Corporate Communication about Climate Change: Villains, Victims, and White Knights

by Jagadish Thaker

Overview

Embedded in the emerging field of climate change communication, Thaker provides a comprehensive analysis of enablers and barriers to corporate action on climate change, business role and influence on media coverage of climate change, and its impact on public opinion and the policy-making process.

Focusing on extensive academic research, business reports, case studies, and best practices from around the world, this book offers a practical guide to effective strategies in corporate climate change communication, including leadership communication, rebuilding public trust amidst greenwashing scandals, and engaging stakeholders with business action on climate change. The book provides new directions on the role of social media influencers, artificial intelligence, and big data in enhancing transparency in business actions and effective communication with key stakeholders.

This book is an essential read for students, scholars, and professionals interested in the emerging fields of climate change communication, strategic communication, and related areas of sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) communication.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032818436
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/03/2025
Pages:	134
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jagadish Thaker is a leading expert on climate change communication and co-author of Oxford Encyclopedia of Climate Change Communication and International Trends in Environmental Communication. He is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and a research affiliate at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

Table of Contents

1. The Impact of Climate Change on Business Operations and Reputation

2. Business Communication About Climate Change

3. Public Responses to Corporate Communication on Climate Change

4. Climate Change Policy and Regulation

5. Effective Strategies in Corporate Communication About Climate Change

6. Future Directions

Editorial Reviews

The power of corporations has increased once again financially and culturally. Thaker offers research-based insights into how trends like climate change and artificial intelligence matter to the bottom line of profits and the planet.

Today, no one can escape the impacts of or corporations—or climate change. Thaker wades into this complicated moment to help us reflect on where we’ve gone wrong and where we could go right. The phrase 'business as usual' has become obsolete in this moment. Whether facing backlash and limitations due to climate change or positive press and opportunities, anyone running or working in a corporation needs to reckon with the climate.

Thaker provides a primer for the next generation of business leaders—with no easy answers, but evidence-based nuance so readers can be smart about thinking through the challenges and possibilities of this moment.”

Phaedra C. Pezzullo, Professor, College of Media, Communication and Information, University of Colorado Boulder, US.

“Authored by a renowned expert in climate change communication, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of corporate responses to climate challenges. It explores critical topics such as greenwashing, public trust, AI-driven transparency, and stakeholder engagement, blending the latest academic research, case studies, and best practices. A must-read for students, scholars, and business leaders in climate change, sustainability, and ESG communication.”

Ganga Dhanesh, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of Maryland, US.

“Corporate Communication about Climate Change: Villains, Victims, and White Knights is a wonderful and concise exploration of how corporations shape public discourse on climate issues. The book showcases the strategies and challenges related to climate communication and is both a critical and pragmatic guide that invites its readers to rethink corporate roles in environmental stewardship.”

Øyvind Ihlen, Professor, Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo, Norway.

From the Publisher