TV presenter Chris Packham has partnered with a campaign group which calls on the Government to ban advertising of fossil fuels that contribute to the climate crisis.
The Badvertising campaign calls for new laws to be introduced to ban any ads promoting fossil fuel companies, and has seen success in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.
In May 2024, Edinburgh City Council banned advertising of “high-carbon products”, including airlines, fossil fuel companies and cruise holidays. All advertising is also banned for petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Packham has launched a petition calling on the Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships, which has already attracted 62,500 signatures.
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Chris Packham has called for all new fossil fuel advertising to be banned
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He claimed that fossil fuel advertising from major oil companies contributes to a “positive reputation and creates a social licence of trust and acceptability”.
The Springwatch host pointed to the 2003 ban on all tobacco advertising, which has “arguably worked”. He added that he believes that continued fossil fuel usage “will kill more people than smoking”.
He said: “Last year, the UN Secretary General called for a global ban on fossil fuel advertising – a huge step in recognising the harm these ads cause. And now, there’s a chance to take real action here in the UK.
“I’ve launched a Parliamentary petition calling for a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship.
“With your support, we can build public pressure and make sure that the Government takes action on high-carbon advertising.”
Chris Packham has also taken additional action against fossil fuel companies and their directors, including on the London Underground network.
Earlier this month, Packham posted on social media that until now, he was focusing on fossil fuel companies, but would not go after some of their key players.
Images show Packham posing alongside fake adverts on the Tube which allege that some fossil fuel executives are “wanted for murdering life on earth”.
In the two pictures posted to his official X account, formerly known as Twitter, he took particular aim at BP CEO Murray Auchincloss and the CEO of Shell, Wael Sawan.
A statement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “The Government is committed to reducing emissions from high-carbon products and will continue to bring forward proposals to do so.
“There are currently no plans to restrict fossil fuel advertising.”
In response to the petition, it added: “The Committees of Advertising Practice and Advertising Standards Authority regulate the content and targeting of advertising in the UK, and the advertising codes include rules on environmental claims.
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Chris Packham with a Badvertising campaign calling for fossil fuel adverts to be banned
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“The ASA system operates independently of the Government. The Government does not currently have any plans to restrict fossil fuel advertising.”
If the petition receives more than 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
