Implementing a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship is a crucial, logical step to combat climate change and protect public health, much like tobacco ad bans in many countries. Fossil fuel promotions often mislead the public by portraying coal, oil, and gas as clean alternatives, driving demand for harmful products.

Banning these ads will cut emissions, fight greenwashing, protect communities, shift social norms, and weaken fossil fuel industry influence, fast-tracking moves to clean energy.

These governments have voted for, or enacted policies to restrict fossil fuel marketing.

A Fossil Ad Ban covers advertisements and sponsorships that promote fossil fuels or the industries that produce, sell, or depend heavily on them. This includes:

• Ads for coal, oil, and gas products or services
• Marketing by fossil fuel companies, even when promoting so-called “green” initiatives (often, this is greenwashing)
• Sponsorships by fossil fuel companies at public events, in schools, or community settings
• Promotions from high-emission industries, especially those that downplay environmental harm.

Different jurisdictions have implemented bans in various ways. Some have removed fossil ads from public transport, others have restricted sponsorships in schools, community events, or government-owned spaces. These tailored approaches reflect local priorities, but all aim to reduce greenwashing, protect public spaces, and promote climate action.

Yes.

Just as state governments and councils have restricted ads for tobacco, gambling, or junk food, they can also choose to restrict fossil fuel promotions in the interest of public health and environmental protection. Local councils and governments have the authority to decide what types of advertising and sponsorships are allowed on property and platforms they manage, such as public transport, buildings, events, and schools. In Australia and New Zealand, several councils and one Territory have already implemented such bans or restrictions without legal challenge.

There is strong evidence that banning fossil fuel advertising helps combat climate change and reduce high-carbon consumption.

Recent studies show that fossil ad bans can:

• Drive sustainable innovation
• Act as catalysts for global change 
• Mitigate climate change and addressing the ‘normalising effect’ of advertisements driving CO2-intensive consumption (IPCC, 2022)
• Help to achieve climate goals
• Serve as a protective policy against overconsumption (The Lancet, 2024)
• Reduce demand for high-emission behaviors (UNEP, 2020), and
• Help trigger a social tipping point toward rapid decarbonisation.

It’s clear that the science backs fossil ad bans as a powerful tool to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon future.

Fossil fuels are the new tobacco. Like cigarettes, their harms are well known, as is the role of advertising in driving consumption.

It took over 20 years from the first link between smoking and lung cancer to a national tobacco ad ban in Australia. Today, it’s illegal to advertise tobacco or vaping products, and research shows these bans still reduce smoking rates – saving thousands of lives. 

Fossil fuels, too, are a major public health threat. Burning coal, oil, and gas causes hazardous air pollution, linked to around 11,000 premature deaths each year in Australia—far more than the national road toll. Globally, fossil fuel pollution kills over 8 million people a year, more than smoking.

The case for banning fossil fuel ads is clear. Just as we ended tobacco promotions to protect public health, we must now end fossil fuel advertising, sponsorships, and marketing.

Great to hear! Start by downloading our Residents Toolkit – it has everything you need to take action locally.

Need extra support? Get in touch with Comms Declare – we’re here to help.

Excellent—your leadership can make a real difference. Start by downloading the Councillor Toolkit (available for both Australia and Aotearoa), which includes policy templates, case studies, and practical steps to introduce a ban in your jurisdiction.

For additional guidance or to connect with others leading this change, contact Comms Declare.

That’s fantastic! You can start by becoming a Comms Declare member.

Visit Comms Declare to join a growing community driving change.

The Fossil Ad Ban campaign is led by Comms Declare, a non-profit coalition of communications professionals advocating to change the conversation about fossil fuels.

You can share photos or details of fossil fuel ads by submitting them directly to Comms Declare. These examples help track the spread of fossil fuel promotions and support local campaigns to ban them.

For any media inquiries, please feel free to reach out to the Fossil Ad Ban team at [email protected].