Ireland should become the first country in the world to ban fossil fuel-related adverts as a “bold step for climate action but also a significant move for public health”, an Oireachtas committee has heard.
Irish Doctors for the Environment said this country had previously taken the lead with its ban on smoking in workplaces in 2004 and it should now do likewise with fossil fuel advertising given the urgency of the climate crisis.
“Irish media regularly promote advertising for the most polluting industries without any health warnings that these very industries will bring about climate collapse,” Dr Ola Nordrum told the Environment Committee.
“Fossil fuel advertising should go the same way as cigarette adverts given the impact on human health. Oil and gas companies, car manufactures, airlines, and cruise lines should all be banned from promoting their products. The well-being of people and the planet should take priority over profits.”
Along with representatives from RTÉ, the doctors group addressed the committee on the role of media in climate action, particularly the impact and regulation of advertisements promoting fossil fuels.
Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley said it was important to have a balance when it came to commentary around climate change and you have to “bring people with you” on the change that is necessary. “If we’re not this careful with this journey, we lose a lot of people,” he said.
Dr Nordrum said he appreciated Mr Dooley’s opinion but he was interested in the safety of patients and relaying the science behind their calls.
His colleague Dr Lisa McNamee added she accepted these medical opinions may not be “palatable to a general audience”. But, citing the smoking ban, she said Ireland was a global forerunner in that battle and could take similar decisions again.
Following RTÉ’s opening statement, Green Party TD Brian Leddin said it made for “uncomfortable reading” given the lack of detail on advertising of fossil fuels.
The broadcaster’s commercial director Gavin Deans said motor advertising would have accounted for 10% of revenues in 2019 but this has dropped to 6%.
While RTÉ has to be aware of “greenwashing”, the committee heard each advert goes through a “rigorous clearance process” and “any claim made has to be substantiated” before it is broadcast.
Meanwhile, RTÉ’s managing director of news and current affairs Deirdre McCarthy said it tracks its climate change coverage and recent focus groups had suggested a “huge amount of ambivalence” towards such coverage.
She said some in the audience feel that climate change is “nothing to do with them” and is “someone else’s problem”.
Ms McCarthy said this is a huge challenge for RTÉ, given its efforts to embed climate and environment coverage in its reporting.