Organization
World Health Organisation (WHO)
By World Health Organisation (WHO)
View webpage WHO with link to report
This very relevant report highlights the substantial impact of commercial determinants on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the WHO European Region. Nearly 7500 deaths per day in the Region are attributed to commercial determinants, such as tobacco, alcohol, processed food, fossil fuels and occupational practices. These commercial products and practices contribute to 25% of all deaths in Europe.
In this report, the WHO:
Highlights for fossil fuel advertising
Regulating the marketing of harmful products (and industry opposition)
In chapter 2 'Marketing strategies increase exposure to NCD risk factors and negatively affect NCD care', the WHO states: "Regulating the marketing of harmful products and brands is a crucial response to safeguarding public health from commercial interests. Specifically, children and vulnerable populations need to be protected from exposure to the marketing of harmful products and brands. Many international organizations, including WHO, advocate for regulatory measures to protect populations, particularly children, young people and vulnerable groups, from the adverse health consequences of marketing practices by large corporations that manufacture or promote products that are harmful to health."
The WHO also lists major barriers to the adoption and implementation of legal measures to protect the public from harmful marketing: the powerful opposition by commercial industries. Although the WHO doesn't mention fossil fuel advertising in this chapter, most applies to fossil fuel marketing as well.
Casting doubt
In chapter 6 'Casting doubt on evidence: manipulating research evidence related to NCD causes, prevention and management', the WHO describes how the four industries (tobacco, alcohol, processed food and the fossil fuel industry) have bought their influence in science to cast doubt on the harm of their products and industries.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
In chapter 7 'Corporate social responsibility and its negative impacts' the WHO writes about child marketing by the fossil fuel industry: "The gambling, alcohol, firearms and fossil fuel industries deploy similar child and youth-oriented programmes as part of their CSR practices." Also, it describes that the fossil fuel industry (and the other industries) took advantage of the COVID-19 crisis in their CSR strategy.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376957