Bristol has become the latest city to announce an overhaul of its advertising policies, in a move that will ban commercials for car manufacturers and fossil fuel giants.
Councillors in Bristol have voted in favour of proposals that will ban some of the most common advertisements seen across the UK.
The new ban will outlaw of promotion or availability of “petrol, diesel and hybrid electric plug-in vehicles” across Bristol’s bus stops, and some free-standing screens in the city centre.
Bristol City Council highlighted that its new advertising policy would allow for the promotion of electric vehicles as a more sustainable form of transport.
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However, larger and heavier vehicles, including SUVs, are banned given the “environmental impact and road danger” linked to these vehicles.
Documents state that any DVLA-reported model that is designed to be an SUV is also banned from being included in advertisements across the city.
The council highlighted that this would also include electric vehicle models and different styles of SUVs, such as SUV Coupe and SUV Estate.
Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer said: “Our Green-led council is making huge strides on Bristol’s climate and sustainability commitments, working on public transport infrastructure, home heating and community energy.
“It makes no sense for these efforts to be running alongside advertisements for things like oil and gas companies, SUVs or fast fashion which do not align with our community values.”
Alongside a ban on promoting polluting vehicles and SUVs, a number of other significant advertising campaigns will be restricted across Bristol.
This will include flights, airports, fast fashion, Black Friday sales events, weapons, fast food aimed at young people, tobacco products, and gambling.
The move was supported by James Ward, from the SUV Alliance, who said: “Removing SUV advertising helps clear the road for drivers to choose smaller, safer and more affordable cars, not over-sized gas-guzzlers.”
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More than 20 UK councils have introduced restrictions on advertisements, including Cardiff, Edinburgh and Sheffield.
Bristol City Council acknowledged that the potential financial loss per year would be around £80,000, although Edinburgh has not reported any adverse financial impacts following the ban on high-carbon adverts.
While adverts for long-haul flights and cruises will be banned, UK-based holidays and sustainable public transport methods will be encouraged.
Nicola Wilks, co-founder and co-director at Adfree Cities, said: “We know ad bans are a catalyst for healthy change. Removing tobacco ads saved lives by reducing levels of smoking.
“As a Bristol resident who cares deeply about climate change and air pollution, I am proud that Bristol has gone even further than other UK councils in curbing polluting ads; it feels like common sense.”
Anna Bryher, policy lead behind Labour Behind the Label, continued, saying: “Advertising accelerates ultra-fast cycles of clothing, with increased emissions, excessive water use and poor working conditions for garment workers.
“Removing this type of ad is a brilliant step towards slowing down fast fashion and moving to a just transition.”
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