Description
Who: Merri-Bek Council, Australia
What: Implemented a ban on fossil advertising and sponsorship on community land
When: November 2023
Melbourne’s Merri-Bek council has unanimously voted to implement a full ban of all fossil fuel ads and sponsorships on council land.
The vote in November 2023 followed a comprehensive staff report, which councillors requested in 2022.
The report included a survey of sports and community groups using council facilities.
An impressive 87% of local groups supported the ban!
Councillor Sue Bolton told the council meeting that the ban “… is a way of forcing (the) fossil fuel industry, which has very long tentacles, to recognise that it’s not welcome and we need a shift away from fossil fuels.”
As of this vote, four Australian councils have now fully implemented a ban on advertising of fossil fuels on community land, while others are waiting for staff reports. Fifteen councils have votes for fossil fuel sponsorship or ad bans.