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Fossil fuel companies marketing to Australian children through hundreds of trusted institutions, new report finds

Comms Declare

Australian-first investigation reveals fossil fuel industry reaching potentially millions of Australian children, through 260+ programs across every stage of childhood.

Major coal, oil and gas companies are reaching Australian children through schools, museums, science centres, sporting clubs, early learning programs, scholarships and career pathways, according to a landmark new report released today by climate communications charity Comms Declare.

The report, From Cradle to Career: Fossil Fuel Industry Presence in Australian Childhood Settings is the first national investigation into the scale of fossil fuel industry engagement with children and young people in Australia.

Researchers identified 260 publicly documented programs and sponsorships run or funded by fossil fuel companies and industry bodies that reached children aged 0 to 18 in recent years. One fossil fuel industry-linked education provider, Teacher Earth Science Education Programme Ltd (TESEP), projected its activities could reach more than two million Australian students over five years.

The investigation also identified more than $54 million in disclosed funding across just 6 of those programs. Funding figures were located for only a fraction of the programs examined, suggesting the true amount spent is likely substantially higher.

Comms Declare founder Belinda Noble said some of the programs involve science and climate change education. "Big coal, oil and gas companies are helping drive climate change, yet simultaneously funding educational programs that shape how young Australians understand energy, resources and climate issues. 

“Oil and gas companies sponsoring climate education is like a tobacco company giving cancer advice.

“We need to ensure children receive accurate, independent education, free from corporate influence,” added Noble.

PureProfile polling commissioned by Comms Declare in April found that 87 per cent of parents and grandparents believe educational programs should be funded by governments, rather than fossil fuel corporations, and 58 per cent support fossil fuel advertising bans.

The report also identifies significant governance and transparency gaps, with little public visibility over how sponsorship arrangements, educational materials and industry partnerships operate in practice.

"Six years ago an ASIC investigation forced banking programs, like Dollarmites, out of schools. Now big polluters are using the same loopholes to reach children, proving we need to find different ways to fund children's programs once and for all,” added Noble.

Comms Declare is calling for a Senate Inquiry into the scale, nature and impact of fossil fuel industry engagement with children and young people, alongside renewed calls for a national ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships. The organisation says an inquiry could examine the current agreements and arrangements, identify options for strengthening governance, transparency and accountability, and possible pathways for alternative funding.

The Australian Capital Territory banned fossil fuel sponsorships in its schools in early 2026 and more than 60 jurisdictions globally have voted for, or enacted, restrictions on fossil fuel marketing.

MEDIA MATERIALS: Report, key findings, and photos are available here. 

PRESS CONFERENCE BEING HELD TODAY:

WHERE: Mural Hall, Parliament House, Canberra

WHEN: Monday 29 June 2026, 11:00am AEST

VISION: Speakers, report launch, stakeholder representatives and photo opportunities outside Parliament House following the press conference.

WHO:

• Belinda Noble, Founder, Comms Declare

• Senator David Pocock, Independent Senator for the ACT

• Senator Steph Hodgkins-May, Australian Greens Senator for Victoria

• Dr Cybele Dey, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Doctors for the Environment Australia

• Gavan McFadzean, Climate & Energy Program Manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation

• Geoff Holt, Founder, Teachers for Climate

• Phoebe Howe, Program Director, Parents for Climate

• Dr Lucy Hopkins, Academic, Faculty of Education, University of Canberra

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Wills — Campaign Director, Report Author
0433 059 954 — [email protected]

Programs by company

Instances of program presence by jurisdiction

The tables above show the more than 260 programs, partnerships, sponsorships and initiatives identified through this investigation. Many of these activities span multiple states and territories, demonstrating the national reach of fossil fuel industry engagement with children, families and educational institutions. Programs are listed in every jurisdiction where they operate, meaning state and territory totals cannot be combined into a national total.

About Comms Declare

Climate communications charity Comms Declare represents more than 100 organisations and hundreds of communications professionals across Oceania who have declared they will not promote fossil fuels. Comms Declare encourages the influence industries to work for the good of the climate and runs the Fossil Ad Ban campaign. 

commsdeclare.org

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Contact details:

Lisa Wills
Campaign Director, Report Author
0433 059 954
[email protected]