More than 30 medical organisations representing 12 million health professionals worldwide have pledged to boycott advertising and public relations agencies that work with the fossil fuel industry, citing the impacts of the climate crisis on human health.
“Health organisations have great power that they can bring to bear in their hiring of advertising, marketing, and design companies by choosing to work only with agencies that do not take money from fossil fuel companies,” said Jeni Miller, global executive director of the Climate and Health Alliance, a consortium of more than 200 organisations that developed the initiative.
“Just like health leaders once stood up to Big Tobacco and its advertising, it’s time to stand up to Big Oil,” Miller said in a statement.
Particles released by burning coal, oil and natural gas can lead to a wide range of health problems, including cancer, heart and lung disease. Meanwhile, climate change itself has far-reaching ramifications — such as the spread of vector-borne diseases, deaths from extreme weather, and mental health impacts.
Adopted by organisations including Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and medical journal The Lancet, the Fossil-Free Health Communications pledge reflects growing concern over the role of advertising and public relations companies in diverting attention from the fossil fuel industry’s role in the climate crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged governments to ban fossil fuel advertising and called on advertising and PR firms to stop working for the industry. In 2022, Sydney banned coal, oil and gas advertising after health professionals signed an open letter.
France was the first country to ban fossil fuel ads in 2022, while in 2024 the Hague in the Netherlands became the first city in the world to pass a law banning all fossil fuel advertising, including ads for services with a high carbon footprint such as airlines and SUVs. Amsterdam and Edinburgh have enacted similar restrictions.
Health organisations to take the pledge include Amref Health Africa; the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations; the World Federation of Public Health Associations; World Organisation of Family Doctors; Yale Center on Climate Change and Health; the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health; and UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.
The Climate and Health Alliance published guidelines for organisations considering taking the pledge.
“In a world on fire, health professionals must lead with truth,” said Dr Kate Wylie, chief executive of Doctors for the Environment Australia. “We cannot claim to protect life while partnering with those who profit from its destruction. It’s time for the climate and health community to cut ties with the PR machines fueling fossil fuel deception—because silence is complicity, and health demands courage.“
