Having already banned fossil fuel sponsorship in its public schools, the ACT Government has agreed to explore further restrictions on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship across the Territory.
Climate communications charity Comms Declare, which runs the Fossil Ad Ban campaign, welcomed the move. CEO Belinda Noble said the ACT had already taken an important step in protecting students from harm, and that extending those protections across public assets was a logical next step.
“The decision to remove fossil fuels from ACT schools reflected community wishes that government institutions should not be used to promote industries driving the climate crisis,” Ms Noble said.
“We think that same principle should now apply to ACT Government-controlled public spaces and services — like bus shelters and public transport, as well as government buildings and programs.
“We recognise the ACT is a unique jurisdiction, with significant control over its own assets and public spaces. That creates a real opportunity to explore what’s possible — and to develop a sensible, tailored and pragmatic approach to phasing out fossil fuel advertising in Canberra.
More than 50 jurisdictions worldwide have moved to restrict fossil fuel advertising in ways that meet their jurisdictional needs. The ACT could yet join jurisdictions such as France, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Stockholm and Sydney, which have already restricted fossil fuel advertising on government-controlled assets.
Ms Noble said examining the issue through the ACT Climate Strategy was a sensible next step.
“Where governments are serious about climate action, it makes sense to ensure all their policies and infrastructure reflect those commitments. Fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change, and continuing to promote them on public assets undermines that effort,” she said.
Comms Declare said it looked forward to engaging with the ACT Government as the Climate Strategy process continues, and to partnering with government to help design effective, sensible, ACT-specific policy to reduce fossil fuel advertising.
The ACT’s Climate Strategy is due to be completed by the end of 2026.
Motion
The ACT Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion that, in part: “The next phase of (climate) transition must include clear responsibility for governments and industry… (and) calls on the Government to consider the following areas of policy and action in the development of the next Climate Change Strategy… (including) restrictions on fossil fuel sponsorship or advertising in the ACT, to align public communications and community spaces with the Territory’s climate goals.”