Description
The Spanish government has a voted in favor of a draft bill that will ban advertising of fossil fuels, short flights with more sustainable alternatives and of vehicles powered exclusively by fossil fuels. The bill, championed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in an effort to protect consumers, also aims to reduce greenwashing claims in advertising, for-profit resale of concert tickets, and products with planned obsolescence. Previously, a proposal to ban fossil advertisements from 2025 and sponsorships from 2027 was rejected by congress in February 2022. The draft now proceeds to parliamentary debate.
If implemented, the bill would outlaw the following:
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All ads for petrol, diesel or coal‑based energy—and for vehicles or services powered exclusively by those fuels—will disappear from Spanish media and public spaces. However, products can be promoted that contain a non‑fossil component such as a biofuel blend. The draft law sets no minimum for the percentage of "green" fuel that needs to be mixed in.
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Ads for domestic short‑haul flights will also be barred when a train alternative adds less than 2 h 30 to the journey.
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To counteract out “greenwashing,” broad claims like “climate‑friendly” or “100 % eco‑friendly” must be backed by recognised certification; offset‑only carbon claims are outlawed.