Darebin bans fossil ads and sponsorships

Who: Darebin, Australia

What: A motion to investigate how to ban fossil ads and sponsorships. The motion passed!

When: 26 September 2022

Darebin, which was the first council in the world to declare a climate emergency, moved that it does not support fossil fuels being promoted on its property, and called for a report on the implications on enacting a full ban.

Darebin Mayor, Lina Messina, told the meeting the issue was just as important as banning single use plastic.

The council will also write to State and Federal Ministers requesting restrictions on fossil fuel promotions.

Passed motion

1. Notes that the Federal Government has a responsibility to implement restrictions on fossil fuel advertising through national laws, like what was done for tobacco advertising in 1992, which saw a proven reduction in tobacco consumption per capita, therefore reducing the health burden of tobacco use.
2. Notes that the Does not support the advertising of companies involved in the production of support of fossil fuels on council property, is generally not consistent with Darebin’s Climate Emergency Plan.
3. Refers for future consideration as part of the 2023-24 Council Plan Action plan, development of a Calls for a report to Council on the implications of not permitting advertising for companies involved in the production or supply of fossil fuels on council property and a process for phasing this in, and that this report be presented to a future Council meeting, including:
   1. if Council can use its social and sustainable procurement policy to encourage media outlets it advertises through to reject fossil fuel advertising and review Council policies or strategies that may allow for the promotion of fossil fuels, 
   2. placing a ban on accepting sponsorships from companies whose main business is the extraction or sale of coal, oil or gas, and
   3. implementing restrictions on advertising for fossil fuels for any Council controlled signage or property, and for sporting clubs etc that use council facilities and/or receive grants from council.
4. Resolves for the Mayor to write to the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications, to ask the Federal Government to pass national laws that restrict fossil fuel advertising.
5. Resolves for the Mayor to write to the Hon Melissa Horne MP, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation requesting the Victorian Government impose restrictions on fossil fuel advertising. 

Full motion.