Climate advocacy collective, Comms Declare, in partnership with media agency, Alchemy One, have erected billboards in Australia’s capital cities, calling for a ban on fossil fuel advertising.
The outdoor campaign is the latest initiative for Comms Declare’s Fossil Ad Ban project. Launched in 2022, Fossil Ad Ban advocates for restrictions on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships in Australia, with a mission that includes mandating greenhouse pollution labels on carbon-intensive products and services.
The latest Fossil Ad Ban billboard has been placed in St. Peters, a suburb in Sydney’s Inner-West electorate of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, meant as a reminder to the national leader that banning fossil fuel marketing is a small but logical first step towards achieving a renewable economy.
Comms Declare founder, Belinda Noble said, “We can’t reach our climate goals while allowing big coal and gas companies to use advertising, sponsorships and PR to undermine the urgently needed transition to clean energy.
“We’re asking people to write to the Federal Government or their local council to rid our streets, sports, schools and arts of fossil fuel greenwashing and misinformation.”
The action coincides with The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announcing a crackdown on greenwashing, with the consumer watchdog this month publishing its draft guidance to improve businesses’ environmental claims.
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) is also on a mission to target greenwashing practices, with a focus on advertising claims made by investment and superannuation funds.
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has recently released an exposure draft of its Environmental Claims Code for public comment, geared at advancing the industry towards a sustainable future.
See also: AANA targets greenwashing practices in advertising, CEO Josh Faulks declares, “it’s critical.”
Comms Declare has already released their assessment of the AANA’s draft claims code, expressing approval of certain aspects, while also identifying areas for improvement.
See also: AANA Environmental Claims Code exposure draft met with response from Comms Declare