Last week, Latte Recruitment launched the 2026 Nice List, revealing new data that shows the majority of PR pros at every level do not want their agency to work with fossil fuel clients.

The Nice List is the UK’s only directory of PR agencies that have pledged against fossil fuels, created in partnership with the climate activist community, Clean Creatives. This year’s Nice List features 60 UK PR agencies 22 1-2 person consultancies from across the UK, all of which have pledged to reject contracts with fossil fuel clients.

In contrast to Clean Creatives ‘F List’ - an annual campaign that highlights which agencies profit from work with fossil fuels - the Nice List does the opposite: celebrating industry commitment and helping PR job seekers find employers that align with their values. Dean Connelly, Founder of Latte Recruitment, said: “This year, 59% of UK PR talent we surveyed said that it’s important to them that their employer does not work with fossil fuel clients. That’s the majority - and why we continue to create the Nice List. We must continue to celebrate the agencies and leaders who promote a more sustainable, cleaner future for the communications industry.”

Interestingly, Latte’s stats reveal it’s not just junior talent that cares about their employers' sustainability credentials. When surveyed, a higher percentage of mid and senior-level comms talent said it’s important their employer doesn’t work with fossil fuel clients in comparison to junior talent.

Duncan Meisel, executive director of Clean Creatives, said: “Amid agency consolidation and growing resistance to fossil fuels in the energy transition, the agencies on the Nice List are meeting the challenges of this moment while accelerating a just, sustainable future. We’re proud to celebrate them as they lead the way.”

Reflecting on the year ahead, and responding to common questions around an outright ban on working with fossil fuels, agency leaders shared their thoughts on ethics, influence, and revenue:

Looking ahead to 2026, what role do you see PR agencies playing in tackling the climate crisis?

“David Attenborough said, 'saving our planet is now a communications challenges and I completely agree. So much of the conversation around climate change and sustainability has been co-opted (and funded) by far-right media, commentators and organisations. PR agencies can play a very real role in challenging this. In a world where climate comms is dominated by lofty narratives from politicians and business leaders that alienate real people, we can help to make climate action relatable, fair and relevant to ordinary people in communities all over the UK.” - Laura Burch, founder and managing partner, Work & Class

What advice would you give to a PR agency leader who is hesitant to sign the Clean Creatives pledge due to short-term revenue concerns?

The real risk isn’t turning down harmful clients, it’s betting on industries burning themselves (and the planet) to the ground. It’s tempting to see culture and commerciality as opposites, but culture is what ultimately drives success. And culture isn’t about standing for something — it’s about standing up for it. You can’t stand on the right side of history while sitting on the fence. In my experience, doing the right thing delivers commercial karma, even in the short term. Sign the f*cking pledge.” - Alex Myers, founder and gobal CEO, Manifest

How do you respond to the argument that walking away from fossil fuel clients means losing a seat at the table where change can be influenced?

“What is this mythical table? If it does exist, there may be small wins to be had, but when push comes to shove, the client’s short-term, fossil fuel agenda will always reign supreme. I think this is a coward’s way out, to be honest. It’s a way for agencies to justify taking money from big oil, and it would be much more powerful to collectively withdraw the oxygen of creativity and publicity and to let them fend for themselves.” - Adam Mack, strategy and insight director, Hope&Glory PR.

Latte Recruitment was the first recruitment agency globally to sign the Clean Creatives pledge in 2022, a commitment to never recruit for agencies with fossil fuel clients (those on the Clean Creatives F List). They remain one of the few recruitment agencies to be part of the movement.

Interested in which agencies made the Nice List? Download here