news-details

Why it's so hard to kick fossil fuels out of the sports industry

Governments and public relations firms are under pressure to, in UN secretary-general António Guterres's words, stop "fueling the madness" and ban fossil fuel advertising or cut ties with the industry.

France, Amsterdam, Sheffield and Edinburgh have all restricted fossil fuel advertising to differing degrees in recognition of the industry's responsibility for climate breakdown.

People working in the advertising industry are among those calling for an end to working with fossil fuel companies. There is a reputational risk with continuing to represent these businesses. Four advertising agencies recently lost a sustainability certification for taking an oil company as a client.

Oil and gas advertising is perhaps most prolific in sport. A recent report estimated that fossil fuel companies have invested more than £4 billion across 200 sponsorship deals.

Fellow researchers have appealed for sport to be included in any further advertising bans. There is a precedent: a tobacco advertising ban came into force in the UK in 2002. Bear in mind, that ban took nearly 40 years of campaigning and tobacco executives have shown they're capable of navigating its loopholes.

Related Posts
Advertisements
Market Overview
Top US Stocks
Cryptocurrency Market