Help grow the movement against fossil advertising

Encouraging news. The movement against fossil advertising is gathering pace. And you can help it grow faster.

High carbon adverts (like those that promote oil companies, airlines and non-electric cars) are slowing down the transition to a zero carbon UK. They encourage us to buy polluting products and asipre to high carbon lifestyles, when we need to be cutting the emissions from our consumption.

In the past few months, we’ve seen positive movements to address adverts that fuel the climate crisis: 

• France has passed national legislation banning ads for fossil fuels.

• Sydney council agreed to prohibit adverts for coal, oil and gas products citing major health concerns of continued fossil fuel use.

• Six Dutch cities including Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam have also passed motions to prohibit ads for fossil fuel companies, non-electric cars and flights.

• Over 300,000 people supported proposals to the EU Commission for tobacco-style restrictions on fossil fuel advertising.

• Just two weeks ago, activists in 15 European cities took part in a week of action against airline advertising.

• And the UN Secretary-General, himself, blasted the advertising and public relations industry at the 77th General Assembly in New York three weeks ago: "Just as they did for the tobacco industry decades before, lobbyists and spin doctors have spewed harmful misinformation.” (António Guterres, 20 September 2022)

These are positive steps forward. So let’s keep that momentum going. 

Here in the UK, Norwich, North Somerset and Liverpool councils have all passed motions to adopt Low Carbon Advertising Policies which keep their streets free from advertising for fossil fuel companies, airlines, airports and non-electric cars. Will you ask your local council to do the same? 

Let’s stop advertising fuelling the climate emergency. It just takes two minutes to email your council about high carbon advertising, and all you need is your name and postcode.