Report identifies more than 260 fossil fuel marketing links
Fossil fuel marketing reached Australian children through more than 260 publicly documented programmes and sponsorships, according to a report released on 29th June 2026.
The report, From Cradle to Career: Fossil Fuel Industry Presence in Australian Childhood Settings, says major coal, oil and gas companies have engaged with children aged zero to 18 through schools, museums, science centres, sporting clubs, early learning programmes, scholarships and career pathways.
Researchers identified 260 publicly documented programmes and sponsorships run or funded by fossil fuel companies and industry bodies in recent years. One fossil fuel industry-linked education provider, Teacher Earth Science Education Programme Ltd, 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 six of those programmes. Funding figures were located for only a fraction of the programmes examined, with the report saying the true amount spent is likely substantially higher.
Belinda Noble, founder of Comms Declare, said some of the programmes involved science and climate change education. She said: “Big coal, oil and gas companies are helping drive climate change, yet simultaneously funding educational programmes that shape how young Australians understand energy, resources and climate issues.”
Where programmes were found
The report lists programme presence in every stage of childhood and across multiple jurisdictions. It recorded 120 instances in Western Australia, 105 in Queensland, 75 in New South Wales, 47 in Tasmania, 46 in South Australia, 26 in the Northern Territory and seven in Victoria, as well as 119 national programmes.
By company, the highest counts in the report were Santos with 71 programmes, BHP with 49, Woodside with 47, Glencore with 30, Chevron with 22 and Shell with 17.
PureProfile polling commissioned by Comms Declare in April found 87% of parents and grandparents believe educational programmes should be funded by governments rather than fossil fuel corporations, and 58% support fossil fuel advertising bans.
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 a national ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships. A press conference is scheduled for 11:00am AEST on Monday 29th June 2026 at Mural Hall, Parliament House, Canberra.
