Comms Declare submits that the state of New South Wales is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in legislating restrictions on the advertising and sponsorship of coal,
petroleum, and gas products, mirroring Labor’s world-beating precedent in tobacco advertising bans.
NSW is already feeling the serious impacts of climate change, including increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves, droughts, bushfires, storms, and floods. These events
are directly linked to the accelerated burning of greenhouse gas emissions, largely through fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
One measure to reduce the severe impacts of fossil fuels is cultural, and pertains to communications that continue to extend social licence to high-polluting industries and delay
the urgently needed transition to renewable energy. While New South Wales has recently reduced its emissions per capita, it remains significantly higher than the global average. On
the plus side, up to 72%of emissions come from household consumption, offering a sizable opportunity for NSW to reduce climate pollution and fossil fuel dependence via behavioural
changes.
Governments have long restricted advertising and sponsorship of harmful products such as tobacco, gambling, and alcohol. Yet fossil fuels – arguably the most destructive products of
our time – are still widely promoted. This undermines public health, climate goals, and public trust.
As Australia’s second largest polluter, accounting for one quarter of the Australia’s emissions NSW has both the moral imperative and strategic opportunity to lead by
removing fossil fuel promotions from government infrastructure and advertising spaces. This action would align with the NSW Government’s net zero goals, reduce the risk of those
climate goals appearing disingenuous, and would meet growing community expectations for climate leadership.
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the Net Zero Future