In a bold call to action, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has urged governments and media outlets worldwide to reject advertising dollars from the fossil fuel industry. Guterres accused energy companies of “distorting the truth, deceiving the public, and sowing doubt” about the climate crisis, calling for an end to their influence. He emphasized the need to “stop the Mad Men from fueling the madness.”
Guterres’ statement comes at a pivotal moment for the automotive industry, as consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs) grows. Despite this interest, many EVs remain more expensive than their fossil-fuel counterparts, contributing to consumer apprehension.
The UN chief has proposed advertising restrictions similar to those in place for tobacco and alcohol. While tobacco advertising bans primarily target the impressionable minds of children, fossil fuel advertising bans would aim to influence consumer behavior.
Several countries, cities, and companies have already taken steps to limit fossil fuel advertising. France restricts the promotion of coal, gas, and hydrogen made from fossil fuels, while cities like Amsterdam, Sydney, and Edinburgh also limit advertising from high-emission enterprises. Media outlets such as The Guardian, Vox, and France’s Le Monde have banned oil and gas advertising.
However, implementing such restrictions on a national scale, especially in countries like the US, may prove challenging. “Even if Congress attempted it, a fossil fuel ad ban would almost certainly collapse against legal challenges under current U.S. laws,” explained Rebecca Tushnet, a First Amendment professor at Harvard Law School.
Tushnet highlighted the protection of commercial speech under the First Amendment as a major obstacle to a blanket federal ban on fossil fuel advertising. She suggested that a more viable approach would be for the government to target fossil fuel companies that make misleading claims.
With the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change setting a target for global greenhouse emissions to reach net zero by 2050, there is an urgent need for a significant shift away from fossil fuel advertising. Guterres’ call to action underscores the critical role that governments and media outlets play in shaping public opinion and driving meaningful change in the fight against climate change.
