An advertisement by Hancock Prospecting, the mining and agricultural company owned by Gina Rinehart, has been ruled misleading by Ad Standards over claims that its methane gas is “clean.”
The online ad, which stated “Our clean gas keeps the lights, and factories, hospitals, and shops open from Tokyo to Toowoomba”, faced a complaint from climate communications group Comms Declare, which argued the claim was unsubstantiated and misleading.
Hancock Prospecting defended the ad, citing Clear Ads approval and stating that its use of “clean gas” was not deceptive. The company also pointed to industry research suggesting gas is cleaner compared to some energy sources.
The original ad from Hancock Prospecting which has since been taken down.
However, the Ad Standards Panel found the term “clean gas” lacked definition and could lead consumers to believe gas produces no emissions or environmental harm. Without disclaimers clarifying its meaning, the ad was deemed to have breached the AANA Environmental Code for failing to be truthful and properly substantiated.
The ruling advises that: “The Panel considered that without further disclaimers explaining the limitations of the word “clean” in this context, the advertisement was misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive.”
The advertisement is now discontinued.