Guterres also called out the private sector, particularly tech and media, for not doing enough to combat climate change. He accused the fossil fuel industry of using PR companies to greenwash and delay action on climate change. Companies like Google, Facebook, and Instagram reportedly earn tens of millions of dollars each year from fossil fuel advertising. Media companies, including The New York Times and Reuters, were also criticized for enabling fossil fuel ad campaigns. Guterres urged these companies to stop taking on new fossil fuel clients and to drop their existing ones, stating that fossil fuels are toxic for their brands.
Key takeaways:
- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a ban on advertising from fossil fuel companies, urging countries, news media, and tech companies to stop accepting such advertising.
- Guterres criticized tech, media, and PR companies for accepting ad money from the fossil fuel industry, which he said is contributing to climate change and planetary destruction.
- Despite the Paris climate agreement, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels have continued to rise, with the fossil fuel industry using PR companies to delay action on climate change.
- Companies like Google, Facebook, and Instagram earn millions each year from fossil fuel advertising, while media companies like The New York Times and Reuters have been accused of enabling fossil fuel ad campaigns.