Barley Communications has secured two shortlistings at the Third Sector Awards 2026, recognising both our work as an agency and our national behaviour change campaign with Keep Britain Tidy.

Barley is shortlisted for Communications Agency of the Year for Delivering Communications That Matter, recognising our work with charities, NGOs and public bodies to turn complex evidence into clear, credible communications that inform debate, influence behaviour and support positive social and environmental change.

The category recognises agencies that have created highly successful communications campaigns for clients or provided exceptional levels of communications support and advice.

Our Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight campaign with Keep Britain Tidy has also been shortlisted for Communications Campaign of the Year.

The #RubbishDeal campaign tackled one of the root causes of fly-tipping: householders unknowingly using unlicensed waste carriers. Using behavioural insight, Barley and Keep Britain Tidy reframed fly-tipping as a consumer protection issue and gave people simple steps to make sure their waste was handled responsibly.

The campaign generated 944 million opportunities to see or hear its messaging, while visits to the Environment Agency’s licensed waste carrier register increased by 159% on launch day. Independent evaluation also found that 74% of audiences exposed to the campaign were less likely to use cheap waste removal services advertised online.

Read the case study: Running a national behaviour change campaign to tackle fly-tipping

The two shortlistings reflect our commitment to communications that matter: work grounded in evidence and insight, with a clear purpose and measurable impact.

The Third Sector Awards celebrate the achievements of charities, organisations and their partners across the not-for-profit sector. The winners will be announced in London on Friday 11 September 2026.

Interactive installation to tour East London, helping residents spot hidden batteries and recycle electrical devices safely

New research launched today by East London Waste Authority (ELWA) estimates that 48 million* batteries and small electrical items were incorrectly put in household bins, rather than dedicated recycling points, in the capital last year, despite 47% of Londoners being “fully aware” that this action can cause fires in bin lorries or waste facilities.

The polling by Censuswide found that 57% of the 1,000 London residents interviewed have disposed of at least one small electrical item in their household rubbish over the past 12 months, despite many containing hidden lithium-ion batteries which can ignite when crushed in waste collection vehicles or recycling facilities. Just under three in five Londoners (59%) admitted the same for loose batteries, the incorrect disposal of which poses similar risks.

The findings come as ELWA launches the ‘HypnoCube’ an eye-catching new installation featuring educational games and the Recycle Your Electricals mascot ‘HypnoCat’, which will tour ELWA’s partnering boroughs from 28 July to 26 August. The HypnoCube was built by Kind Cycle, the successful winners of a design competition launched by ELWA and Material Focus earlier this year. The installation was designed to help residents identify products containing hidden batteries, understand the risks associated with incorrect disposal and learn how to recycle them.

Battery fires have become an increasing concern for waste and recycling operators across the UK. Hidden lithium-ion batteries found in everyday items such as vapes, headphones, toys, electric toothbrushes, phones and e-scooters can become damaged when placed in household bins, potentially causing fires when crushed during collection or processing. Over the past two years, East London waste disposal facilities have seen an increase in fires, from 229 (24/25) to 350 (25/26). While it is often difficult to determine the exact cause of each fire, it is thought that most have been caused by batteries.

More than a third of the survey participants (35%) said they were only somewhat aware of the fire risks, while 17% are completely unaware.

Nearly a quarter of Londoners said they don’t know where to take small electrical items and batteries to be recycled properly (23%), while the same proportion said there is no convenient drop-off point near their home (23%).

Uncertainty around disposal is also leading many Londoners to hold onto unwanted electricals rather than recycle them. Nearly two-thirds (63%) have at least one small electrical item sitting in a drawer, cupboard or bag awaiting disposal, while 18–24-year-olds have an average of more than four unwanted electrical items stored at home.

Encouragingly, the research shows there is a strong appetite among Londoners to learn more about battery recycling and to take action. More than three in five (61%) said they would change the way they dispose of batteries if they better understood the risks.

Support for further public education is also very strong, with 80% backing a London-wide campaign to improve battery recycling and 72% saying clearer information on drop-off locations would make it easier for them to recycle batteries correctly.

To help residents in Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, & Redbridge better understand battery fire risks and encourage them to take their items to their nearest drop-off point using the Recycle Your Electricals locator, ELWA will be launching a roadshow on 28 July. Accompanied by battery-themed costumed characters, the colourful, interactive, giant ‘HypnoCube’ will visit parks, community events and local venues, teaching electrical reuse, repair and recycling tips through carnival style games.

Cllr Jo Blackman, Chair of East London Waste Authority said: “When batteries or small electrical items are wrongly put in a bin at home, there is a real risk that a fire can start in a bin lorry or at one of our waste facilities, putting frontline workers in danger. The good news is that Londoners want to do the right thing. Our research shows people are willing to change how they recycle once they understand the risks and know where to take unwanted batteries and electricals.

“That’s why we’re excited to bring our new roadshow to communities across East London this summer. We want to help people spot the hidden batteries in everyday items, understand why it matters to dispose of them correctly and help them to understand where and how they can do that. A small change at home can make a big difference to the safety of frontline staff, while also helping to reduce the costs and operational disruption caused by fires.”

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus said: “We are pleased to support the launch of the HypnoCube project that helps address the pressing issue of e-waste. This eye-catching installation will help to raise awareness of electrical waste and battery fires and how the residents of east London can recycle their electricals. We have already taken a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for more than 12 million people in the UK to reuse and recycle their electricals. Anything with a plug, battery or cable, can be re-used, donated, or recycled”

Richard Field, London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, said: “Our crews see first-hand the dangers and risks that incorrectly disposed of batteries can have. We continue to be called out to fires involving waste collection vehicles; some of which can take a considerable amount of time to resolve and often results in waste temporarily piled high in residential streets. When fires occur at waste disposal sites or recycling centres, the consequences can be even greater because there are huge amounts of flammable materials present. These fires can often be very time consuming to extinguish and can have a detrimental impact on the local environment and community. We suspect that lithium-ion batteries are responsible for a significant amount of these types of fires and urge everyone to take care and dispose of the batteries properly.”

Orjon De Roo from Kind Cycle said: “At Kind Cycle, we believe the experiences people remember are the ones that inspire lasting change. That’s why we created the HypnoCube, an interactive experience that sparks curiosity, starts conversations and helps people discover the hidden batteries in everyday items. By creating memorable moments, we encourage simple actions that become lasting habits, helping to protect our environment. We’re proud to have helped bring the HypnoCube to communities across East London this summer, inspiring people of all ages to recycle more hidden batteries and make a positive difference together.”

ELWA’s installation tour forms part of the waste authority’s ongoing partnership with Material Focus and will be visiting the following locations:

Redbridge
- South Park, South Park Road Ilford, IG1 1XU
- Greener Together Family Learning Day & launch event
- 28 July – 10am – 2pm
Barking & Dagenham
- Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham RM10 7FH
- 13 August – 10am – 2pm
Newham
- East Ham Library, 328 Barking Road, East Ham, London E6 2RT
- 18 August – 10am-2pm
Havering
- Queens Theatre Green, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1AX
- Community Fun Day
- 26 August – 12pm-2pm

Research reveals shocking levels of inequality of access to safe, well maintained green spaces, despite proven benefits to wellbeing and quality of life

People living in Britain’s most deprived communities are more than twice as likely to describe their local park as ‘unsafe’ compared to those in the most affluent areas, according to new research by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, published to mark the 30th anniversary of the Green Flag Award.

The findings reveal a growing ‘Green Divide’ across Britain, with those who stand to benefit the most from access to safe green spaces the least likely to have them.

The nationally representative YouGov survey of more than 2,000 adults found stark differences in the quality and safety of local green spaces between the richest and poorest areas in the country.

Just 27% of people in the most deprived areas describe their local park as ‘safe’, compared to 46% in the least deprived areas

21% of residents in the most deprived areas say their local park is ‘run-down’, compared to just 9% in the least deprived areas

Only 39% of residents in the most deprived areas rate their local park as ‘good’, compared to 49% in the most affluent communities

The research also reveals that parks in the most deprived communities are most likely to fail to meet basic human needs, in contrast with those in affluent areas. The top priorities for park improvements in the most deprived areas are cleanliness (27%), toilets (25%), safety (23%) and maintenance (23%). In more affluent communities however, the top priorities are enhancements such as community activities (29%) and nature areas (17%), with almost a third (30%) saying their local park needs no improvements at all.

This inequality has widespread implications for wellbeing, community safety and economic opportunity. Evidence shows that parks are one of the most cost-effective public assets available; every £1 invested delivers more than £7 in wellbeing benefits. Yet, despite physical inactivity costing the UK £7.4 billion each year, investment in parks has accounted for less than three per cent of local authority budgets in recent years.

Keep Britain Tidy’s findings are published as this year’s Green Flag Award winners are announced, recognising a record 2,391 of the UK’s best-managed parks and green spaces.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.

“In an age of rising concern about community cohesion, young people’s wellbeing and time spent online, safe local parks are becoming more important than ever. Yet the communities who need them the most are sadly the least likely to have them.

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways councils can improve people’s quality of life.

“Every pound invested in a park, particularly in a deprived community, delivers real returns – improving wellbeing, bringing communities together, reducing loneliness, giving people somewhere safe and free to spend time and, ultimately, reducing pressure on public services like the NHS.

“Today’s Green Flag Award winners show what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community, especially those in areas of high deprivation, to have access to green spaces that are safe, welcoming and maintained to the highest standards.”

The Green Flag Award is the international benchmark for quality, recognising sites that meet rigorous standards for safety, accessibility, environmental management and community engagement. Keep Britain Tidy is calling on local authorities to prioritise investment in parks in areas of greatest deprivation and to use the Green Flag Award as a benchmark standard to drive improvement.

New Oceana UK report exposes the hidden environmental legacy of decades of offshore oil and gas extraction, revealing a total of 1,685 active or unplugged oil and gas wells within UK marine protected areas.
More than 31,000km of pipelines stretch across UK seas risking toxic chemicals leaching into some of the UK’s most important marine habitats.
New YouGov polling shows 77% support government action requiring oil and gas companies to remove offshore infrastructure once it reaches the end of its life.
Early and effective decommissioning would protect our marine wildlife and create 25,000 jobs across the UK supply chain, helping deliver a fair and prosperous transition for offshore workers and coastal communities.

Marine conservation charity Oceana UK has revealed the scale of the UK’s offshore oil and gas legacy, identifying 1,685 active or unplugged wells inside marine protected areas and warning that ageing infrastructure could pose growing risks to marine wildlife if not properly decommissioned.

The findings come as ministers prepare the Energy Independence Bill, which is expected to legislate for an end to new oil and gas licences. Oceana says the UK now has a major opportunity to tackle the environmental legacy of decades of offshore extraction while supporting a fair transition for workers and coastal communities.

Oceana’s “oceo-economic” assessment combines environmental and economic analysis of decommissioning in UK waters. It concludes that delaying decommissioning could increase pollution, damage marine habitats and allow methane leakage to continue for decades.

Acting sooner will help restore ocean ecosystems, create skilled jobs and deliver lasting benefits for coastal communities. As infrastructure ages, toxic contaminants, including mercury, lead, and radioactive material – which builds up inside pipelines – can pose severe risks to marine wildlife.

These chemicals can damage the nervous system and disrupt reproduction in marine wildlife, with the potential for population decline and ecosystem-wide damage. More than 1,700 km of pipelines run through two protected marine areas[1] that are home to a range of sea life from the protected harbour porpoise to the threatened ocean quahog clam.

Hugo Tagholm, Director of Oceana UK, said:

“UK seas are home to extraordinary wildlife. They are also criss-crossed by pipelines, potentially leaching toxic chemicals, that cover a distance equivalent to 38 round trips to the International Space Station. Without timely and effective decommissioning, this growing legacy of infrastructure risks becoming a ticking timebomb for UK seas.

Our ocean is not a rubbish dump. It is a vital part of our life support system. The Energy Independence Bill promises the end of new oil and gas and the UK now also has the chance to lead the world in how it manages the transition away from fossil fuels. Effective decommissioning, paid for by the companies that have been extracting billions of pounds of profit from our seas for decades, is a clear-sighted strategy to a fair and prosperous end to oil and gas in UK waters.”

Oceana’s findings reflect public concern about the impact of offshore oil and gas infrastructure on UK seas. Nearly two thirds of British adults are concerned about the impact of oil pollution on UK waters, while 77% support government action requiring oil and gas companies to remove offshore infrastructure once it reaches the end of its operational life, the YouGov polling commissioned by Oceana UK found.

Analysis cited in the report suggests accelerated decommissioning could support 25,000 jobs across the UK supply chain, including extending the careers of around 15,000 existing offshore workers, while generating significant economic benefits for coastal communities.

The report calls on the UK Government to maintain its commitment to end all new oil and gas, hold industry accountable for cleaning up its infrastructure and invest in the workforce and supply chains needed to deliver a world-leading decommissioning industry.

[1] The Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt Marine Protected Area and the Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation.

Two Barley Communications campaigns have been shortlisted at the Charity Times Awards 2026, recognising our work with Keep Britain Tidy and Oceana UK.

Both partnerships are shortlisted for PR Team of the Year, celebrating communications that have delivered impact for charities and their audiences.

Our Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight campaign with Keep Britain Tidy tackled one of the root causes of fly-tipping: householders unknowingly using unlicensed waste carriers. The national behaviour change campaign reframed fly-tipping as a consumer protection issue and gave people clear, practical steps to make sure their waste was handled responsibly.

Read the case study: Running a national behaviour change campaign to tackle fly-tipping

Our work with Oceana UK focused on the launch of Deep Decline, a major report examining the scale and consequences of overfishing in UK waters.

Barley developed a media strategy that translated complex scientific evidence into clear, accessible messages while maintaining the integrity of the research. The campaign secured 267 pieces of media coverage and 647 million opportunities to see, helping Oceana UK bring the issue to the attention of policymakers, industry and the public.

Read the case study: Raising awareness of the environmental impact of overfishing

The two shortlistings recognise Barley’s approach to communications for social and environmental impact: combining evidence, insight and strong storytelling to help organisations reach audiences and inspire action.

The winners will be announced at the Charity Times Awards in September 2026.

Keep Britain Tidy programme with KFC, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s and Nestlé delivers measurable impact and a scalable model for councils

A pioneering pilot led by independent environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has demonstrated how sustained behaviour change activity can improve both the physical environment and people’s perceptions of their local area – delivering cleaner streets, stronger community pride and renewed economic confidence without putting additional pressure on council budgets.

The 12-month “Love Where You Live Heckmondwike” programme, funded through the Litter Pact and delivered in collaboration with KFC, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s and Nestlé, achieved a 16% reduction in food and drink-related litter– providing robust, real-world evidence of what works at community level.

In 2024, Keep Britain Tidy embarked on a project with the aim of pulling together all the research, insights, interventions and approaches the charity had delivered in the previous decade and see if it could make a measurable difference to the levels of litter on the ground and, importantly, to people’s reported behaviour and perceptions of the place they called home.

Key results include:

16% reduction in food and drink packaging litter overall

20% reduction in confectionery litter

52% reduction in littering around “Bin it for Good” installations – where bins are converted into charity tins*

A 22-percentage-point increase in public satisfaction with cleanliness (rising from 14% to 36%).

The initiative highlights the critical role that shaping consumer behaviour can play in addressing environmental challenges, beyond packaging design and recycling infrastructure,

Through co-investment in research, campaign development and local activation, partners supported a coordinated multi-channel programme that combined:

Evidence-led messaging tailored to specific litter behaviours like “careful littering” and dog fouling

Strategic placement of litter interventions in high-impact locations

Community engagement and localised creative

Collaboration with businesses, schools and the local community.

The campaign achieved strong public engagement, with 70% of residents recalling activity.

Among those with highest exposure:

83% said they would pick up litter near their home

68% were more likely to take personal responsibility for keeping the area clean

63% were more likely to use bins.

Importantly, the findings reinforce a clear link between perception and behaviour, demonstrating that individuals who viewed their area as clean were significantly more likely to act responsibly.

The programme also saw a significant reduction in those who perceived fast food litter to be a problem between the beginning and end of the project, with the number of people saying it was a problem falling from 86% to 42%.

The pilot also underscores the commercial relevance of tackling litter with 16% of businesses in the area saying customers would spend more in cleaner areas and 30% believing that improved cleanliness would attract new businesses.

The findings underline the role of environmental quality in supporting thriving high streets and inward investment.

Allison Ogden CEO of Keep Britain Tidy said: “Keep Britian Tidy has decades of understanding of – and unparalleled experience in – changing littering behaviors.

“This pilot shows that working in partnership with funders, businesses on the ground, local authorities and leaders from within the community in a sustained, joined up way delivers far greater results than solo or siloed efforts.

“We welcome food and drink brands showing this kind of leadership.”

Kim Leadbeater, MP and chair of the Tidy Britain All Party Parliamentary Group said: “I’m deeply invested in the town of Heckmondwike, it’s where I was born, where I grew up.  

“Being part of a project that not only reduced litter in my hometown but improved how residents feel about their neighborhood makes me so proud”.

Dr Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé UK and Ireland, said: “Nestlé is proud to be joining other industry leaders in the Litter Pact. Every year, we see employees from up and down the country getting involved in the annual Great British Spring Clean, an important initiative for local communities. We are excited to build on this through the Litter Pact.

Helen McFarlane, Sustainability Manager at McDonald’s, said: “McDonald’s is delighted to have supported the Litter Pact alongside Keep Britain Tidy and to see such strong results for the Heckmondwike community. Addressing litter is a shared responsibility, and this initiative demonstrates how effective partnership working and local engagement can deliver tangible benefits. We are proud to be part of something that is helping to create cleaner, more welcoming places for everyone.”

As part of the project’s legacy, Keep Britain Tidy has launched a full report and place-based litter toolkit for councils available online at keepbritaintidy.org.

Barley Communications has won Marketing/Advertising Campaign of the Year at the UK Green Business Awards 2026 for our Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight campaign with Keep Britain Tidy.

We also received a highly commended award in the same category for our work launching Oceana UK’s Deep Declinereport and were shortlisted for Communications Agency of the Year, recognising the breadth of our work across the environment, sustainability and climate sectors.

The judges described the Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight campaign as “hugely impactful”, praising its ability to raise the profile of fly-tipping through an integrated communications campaign that combined national media engagement, digital communications and stakeholder partnerships. They also recognised its success in engaging businesses on their legal responsibilities and helping to move the issue higher up the political agenda.

The recognition comes just weeks after we were named Consultancy of the Year at the Better Society Awards, making 2026 a landmark year as we celebrate our tenth anniversary.

Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of supporting organisations across the environmental, sustainability and climate sectors to communicate complex issues clearly, engage audiences effectively and drive meaningful change. These awards are a reflection of the brilliant clients, partners and collaborators we have worked alongside during that time, and we are grateful for their continued trust and ambition.

Our award-winning Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight campaign helped tackle one of the root causes of fly-tipping by encouraging householders to check that anyone removing their waste was a licensed waste carrier. Through an integrated programme of behaviour change communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement and digital activity, we helped raise awareness of individual responsibility while supporting wider efforts to reduce environmental crime.

Our work with Oceana UK on the launch of the Deep Decline report was also recognised by the judges. The campaign raised awareness of the scale and impact of overfishing in UK waters, engaging government, retailers and the public while strengthening calls for better protection of UK seas.

As we look ahead to the next chapter, we remain focused on helping organisations navigate change, build trust and tell compelling stories that inspire action. Whether supporting behaviour change campaigns, launching major research or helping organisations influence policy and public debate, we are committed to delivering communications that create lasting impact.

If you would like to find out more about our work with Keep Britain Tidy, Oceana UK and other organisations driving positive environmental change, or discuss an upcoming communications, PR, brand or marketing project, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The brief

Keep Britain Tidy asked Barley Communications to develop and deliver a national behaviour change campaign that would help reduce fly-tipping by addressing one of its root causes: householders unknowingly using unlicensed waste carriers.

Research showed that many people were unaware they could be held legally responsible if their waste was illegally dumped. The challenge was to communicate a complex issue in a simple, engaging way that would increase awareness, encourage responsible waste disposal and deter consumers from choosing suspiciously cheap waste removal services.

Insights and approach

Audience research identified a clear risk group: cost-conscious, time-poor consumers aged 25–44 who often use online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and TikTok to find low-cost services. Many were unaware of their legal duty of care when disposing of household waste.

Our strategic insight was that fly-tipping could be reframed as a consumer protection issue rather than purely an environmental one. This led to the creation of #RubbishDeal, a simple, memorable campaign concept showing that cheap waste removal can come at a much higher cost to communities and the environment.

To drive action, we developed a clear behavioural framework built around three simple steps:

Ask for a waste carrier licence
Check it on the Environment Agency register
Always get a receipt

Barley led the creative development and delivery of the campaign, creating an integrated communications programme spanning media relations, social media, paid advertising and local authority engagement. Creative assets used a crime-prevention visual style inspired by CCTV and surveillance footage, helping to communicate the reality of waste crime while maintaining credibility and trust.

We also developed a comprehensive campaign toolkit, enabling councils and partners across the UK to deliver consistent messaging through local channels. Seventy councils and partner organisations adopted the campaign resources, extending reach and impact nationwide.

Results

Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight successfully transformed a complex legal and environmental issue into a clear public call to action.

The campaign generated national visibility, widespread stakeholder support and measurable shifts in awareness and behavioural intent. Independent evaluation showed the campaign increased understanding of householders’ responsibilities and made audiences significantly less likely to use suspiciously cheap waste removal services.

Importantly, the campaign delivered evidence of real-world action. Visits to the Environment Agency’s licensed waste carrier register increased sharply following launch, indicating consumers were taking practical steps to check waste operators before hiring them.

By combining behavioural insight, creative storytelling and coordinated local activation, the campaign helped position Keep Britain Tidy as a leading voice in the fight against waste crime while encouraging more responsible waste disposal behaviour across the UK:

74% of audiences exposed to campaign content were less likely to use cheap waste removal services advertised online
55% said they would follow all three recommended actions
58% learned something new from the campaign

by Laura Harrison, head of sustainability, Barley Communications

It’s World Environment Day and it’s almost exactly ten years since we launched Barley’s first environmental campaign, a couple of months after Barley was conceived. Happy Birthday to us! We were teeny tiny when we started (a handful of us sitting round the table wanting to change the world) but our drive for doing good was gargantuan. It’s been an exhilarating ride….

Our first campaign was for Hubbub, a fabulous charity also in its infancy at the time. Our task was to get Londoners to think twice about buying bagged salad. Polling data concluded that a million bags of salad were thrown away each week in London in the summer. The topic was a hard sell to media but nevertheless we landed some great coverage including the Evening Standard. Environmental stories were fairly tricky to land in 2016. But something seemed to shift in 2017-2019. Coffee cup recycling, river pollution, plastic litter, air pollution, fast fashion – these topics started gaining traction and mainstream media suddenly couldn’t get enough environmental stories. “Finally people are waking up to the crisis, they want to take action,” I thought. It was quite a relief.

Then Brexit happened. Then COVID hit. Aside from some remarkable stories on the reduction in carbon emissions from the quiet streets and blank skies, the world and its media had (understandably) more immediate issues to cover. The environment got sidelined and I’m not sure it ever really got back on the playing field in the same way. The bottom fell out of the reuse movement – who wanted to risk getting covid from a fork or coffee cup? New policies and legislation got delayed and delayed. Environmental issues became increasingly politicised and sucked into the culture wars. It divided people and this was reflected in how the media covered (or actively avoided) environmental stories. Some talented environmental editors and writers lost their jobs and the demand for content on how consumers can take environmental action tailed off.

Despite the challenging landscape we continue to land stories and engage audiences with our campaigns; shining a light on micro-fibres, river pollution, peat-free compost, recycling contamination, e-waste, fly-tipping and over-fishing to name but a few. We’ve often chosen to pivot, using cost-savings and local pride to draw in our audiences rather than the environment which is sometimes a topic they’re less likely to engage with.

The media and digital landscape has shifted so much over these ten years. We now make use of many more channels to reach and influence people. Inspiring individuals and organisations are using social media platforms to challenge, call out, shine a light on the ludicrous, igniting important discussions and prompting e-petitions and community action.

Something else is shifting too. More and more people are beginning to experience the impacts of climate change. The floods, the heatwaves, the failed crops. This should be a catalyst for action. And maybe that action is now more focused on resilience and adaptation rather than prevention. Because climate change is already here. The media could play a key role in informing and educating people and I do hope we see the same kind of enthusiasm that we did back in the 2017-2019 “sweet spot” I mentioned previously.

Barley will continue to advocate passionately for the natural world and the fight against climate change. We are privileged to work with some brilliant environmental charities, public bodies and councils and have some really exciting and impactful work lined up over the coming months.

As we plan our birthday celebrations ten years on, we’re putting the finishing touches to a creative campaign for ReLondon to get more Londoners recycling the food they can’t eat. I do wonder how much salad Londoners are still throwing away?

We are delighted to have been named Consultancy of the Year at the Better Society Awards 2026, making this the second consecutive year we have received the award.

The judges recognised our evidence-led approach to communications and our ability to help charities, public bodies and purpose-driven organisations translate complex social and environmental issues into clear, accessible and impactful public engagement.

As a certified B Corp consultancy, we specialise in sustainability, social impact and environmental communications, working exclusively on projects where communications can contribute meaningfully to positive change. Over the past year, we have continued to expand our strategic consultancy offer, helping organisations strengthen messaging, demonstrate impact and build public trust.

The judges were particularly impressed by our ability to combine measurable communications performance with genuine societal impact, highlighting our work translating complex evidence into communications that improve understanding, influence behaviour and support informed public debate.

Among the projects recognised was our work with Oceana UK on the launch of Deep Decline, a major scientific report examining the environmental impact of overfishing in UK waters. By helping translate complex scientific evidence into clear, accurate and compelling communications, the campaign generated extensive national and international media coverage while maintaining the integrity of the research.

The award also recognised our wider work supporting organisations including Hubbub, Nordoff and Robbins, Keep Britain Tidy and National Trading Standards.

The Better Society Awards celebrate organisations and partnerships making a positive contribution to society through responsible business and impactful communications. We are incredibly proud to see our team, clients and partners recognised once again for the role strategic communications can play in creating meaningful social and environmental change.

Barley Communications has been recognised in three categories at the UK Green Business Awards 2026, marking an exciting moment for our team and the work we deliver with our clients.

We are named in Marketing/Advertising Campaign of the Year for two campaigns that put behaviour change and public engagement front and centre. Our work with Keep Britain Tidy on the #RubbishDeal campaign tackled fly-tipping with clear, insight-led messaging designed to shift attitudes and drive action. Alongside this, our Deep Decline campaign with Oceana UK brought the impact of overfishing into sharper public focus, combining robust evidence with compelling storytelling to build momentum for marine protection.

We are also recognised in the Communications Agency of the Year category, reflecting the consistency, care and impact we bring to our work across policy, media and public affairs.

Together, this recognition speaks to how we approach sustainability communications. We believe complex issues can be communicated with clarity and confidence, without losing nuance. And when that balance is right, campaigns do more than raise awareness — they connect, resonate and lead to real change.

At a time when expectations on organisations are only increasing, communications has a vital role to play in building trust and shaping informed debate. We are proud to be working with clients who are serious about making a difference, and to see that work recognised in this way.

The awards will be announced in London later this year, bringing together leaders from across the UK’s green economy.

Barley Communications has been shortlisted for two Better Society Awards, recognising our work in strategic communications and public affairs.

We are proud to be named finalists for Consultancy of the Year, a title we were honoured to win in 2025. To be shortlisted again reflects the consistency of our impact and the trust our clients place in us to deliver communications that drive change.

We have also been shortlisted for the Communication and Education Award for our launch of Oceana UK’s Deep Declinereport. The campaign translated complex scientific evidence about the state of UK seas into a clear, compelling public narrative. Through a focused media strategy, targeted stakeholder engagement and accessible messaging, the launch helped elevate ocean recovery on the national agenda.

Barley Communications has been shortlisted for two Better Society Awards, recognising our work in strategic communications and public affairs.

We are proud to be named finalists for Consultancy of the Year, having won the category in 2025. To be shortlisted again reflects the strength and consistency of our consultancy offer and the impact we deliver for clients across policy, media and public engagement.

We have also been shortlisted for the Communication and Education Award for our work launching Oceana UK’s Deep Decline report. The campaign focused on raising awareness of the environmental impact of overfishing and brought renewed attention to the state of UK seas. Through clear messaging and a focused communications strategy, the launch helped ensure the findings reached key audiences and contributed to the wider conversation about ocean recovery.

You can read more about our work with Oceana UK here

The Better Society Awards celebrate organisations making a positive difference across sectors and communities. The full 2026 shortlist is available here.

Being recognised in two categories builds on last year’s win and underlines our commitment to delivering evidence-led communications that inform debate, influence decision-makers and support meaningful social and environmental change.

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