Petition · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship
Closed
110,519 signatures
What the petition asks
Advertisements encourage the use of products and sponsorship promotes a positive reputation & creates a social licence of trust & acceptability. In 2003 a ban on all tobacco advertising was introduced and has arguably worked. I believe continued fossil fuel usage will kill more people than smoking.
Fossil fuel advertising has a history of ‘greenwashing’ and a recent report identifies £4bn+ spent by FF companies on 205 active sports sponsorship deals. There is plenty of evidence that FF must be rapidly phased out to mitigate the worst impacts of climate breakdown. I think that preventing the companies’ efforts to enhance their social capital and normalise their activities would proactively help address the climate crisis and mitigate future harm to human health.
Government response · 18 December 2024
The government is committed to reducing emissions from high carbon products and will continue to bring forward proposals to do so. There are currently no plans to restrict fossil fuel advertising.
The government is committed to reducing emissions from high carbon products and will continue to bring forward proposals to do so. [For example, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is assessing the potential for voluntary ecolabels. Ecolabels provide information on the carbon intensity and environmental impact of products and services, to help inform consumers’ purchasing decisions.]
The Committees of Advertising Practice and Advertising Standards Authority regulate the content and targeting of advertising in the UK, and the advertising codes include rules on environmental claims. The ASA system operates independently of the government. The government does not currently have any plans to restrict fossil fuel advertising.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Committees of Advertising Practice and Advertising Standards Authority regulate the content and targeting of advertising in the UK, and the advertising codes include rules on environmental claims. The ASA system operates independently of the government. The government does not currently have any plans to restrict fossil fuel advertising.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated this petition on 7 July 2025.
Timeline
| 12 Nov 2024 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 26 Nov 2024 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 18 Dec 2024 | Government responded |
| 8 May 2025 | Passed 100,000 signatures, qualifying for a parliamentary debate |
| 12 May 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
| 7 Jul 2025 | Debated in Parliament |
Key facts
Signatures
110,519
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Opened
12 Nov 2024
Closed
12 May 2025
Response
18 Dec 2024
Debated
7 Jul 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.