The Rise of Local Advertising Bans on High-Carbon Products
In a groundbreaking move, the City of Edinburgh implemented a ban on advertisements for fossil-fuel cars, cruise holidays, commercial flights, and other high-carbon products on council-owned spaces in May 2024. This decision aligns with similar actions taken by municipalities like Hackney in London and Sheffield, who have also introduced bans or restrictions on high-carbon advertising within council-controlled spaces.
These local policies signify a shift towards mainstream acceptance of advertising bans as effective tools for reducing demand for polluting products.
Protecting Public Health and the Climate
The rationale behind these advertising bans goes beyond limiting misleading promotions – it aims to reshape societal perspectives on consumption. Andrew Simms, campaign co-director and contributor to The Ecologist, emphasizes the importance of ending the promotion of fossil fuel pollution to safeguard human health and the environment.
By eliminating advertisements for polluting products, millions of unnecessary and harmful journeys can be avoided, akin to how banning tobacco ads led to a reduction in smoking rates and saved lives. Simms argues that if humanity can achieve remarkable scientific feats, it should also be capable of taking simple steps to protect public health and combat climate change.
Shifting Cultural Norms
While individuals will still have the freedom to travel, drive, and fly, banning high-carbon advertisements prevents the creation and exacerbation of demand for polluting options. It aims to dismantle the allure of destructive behaviors and normalize lower-impact alternatives.
Despite the disappointments of COP30 in committing to a fossil-fuel phase-out, initiatives like We Can demonstrate that change can start at the local level. By removing the constant marketing pressure to engage in high-carbon activities, cities can begin aligning cultural values with climate realities.
Just as humanity has achieved incredible feats in scientific advancements, it can also choose to refrain from advertising practices that contribute to environmental degradation and species extinction.
About the Author
Liam Killeen is a deliberative democracy researcher and a key member of the Badvertising campaign.
The Badvertising campaign, a collaboration between the New Weather Institute and Adfree Cities, aims to combat the climate emergency by advocating for a tobacco-style ban on advertisements for cars, airlines, and fossil fuel companies. Visit www.badverts.org for more information on this impactful initiative.
