Australian-first ban on coal, oil and gas sponsorships in schools.
Call for other states to follow suit as they sign new school funding agreements with the Federal Government
The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory has voted for a Greens motion to ban fossil fuel and gambling companies from sponsoring school programs from next year.
It comes after climate communication charity, Comms Declare, released a national survey which found 56% of parents were against coal, oil and gas companies sponsoring school programs and 87% of parents said they would prefer government funding over fossil fuel companies.
There’s more than 60 fossil fuel-sponsored school programs across the country – which are used to improve the image of the industry and give often one-sided information about energy and climate change.
Comms Declare Founder, Belinda Noble said, “The Capital Territory has again shown its climate leadership and we applaud this decision to free students from the insidious marketing of fossil fuels in classrooms.
“Our schools should be a place where students get the facts on climate change and equip themselves for a new economy – not a place where legacy industries can pretend they are the solution to the problems they are causing.”
“With States signing onto the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, there’s no excuse to allow fossil fuel influence in schools, and it’s time for others to follow the ACT’s lead,” she added.
Burning fossil fuels is responsible for 89% of carbon dioxide pollution causing climate change and air pollution which is responsible for around 11,000 deaths in Australia every year.
The Motion from Laura Nuttall MLA called on the ACT Government to:
(a) by the beginning of the 2026 school year, update Education Directorate policy to prevent fossil fuel and gambling companies from public school sponsorships;
(b) assist schools currently receiving money or sponsorship from any fossil fuel or gambling companies to transition to alternate funding as required; and
(c) by the last sitting week of 2025, ensure the Education Directorate:
(i) identifies which policy changes have been implemented, and provide timelines for policy changes which have not yet taken place; and
(ii) articulates all assistance provided to schools which have transitioned away from fossil fuel or gambling company funding.
