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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Environment & Climate

Fossil Fuel Industry's Presence in Schools Sparks 'Petro-Grooming' Concerns in Australia

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An investigation revealed the fossil fuel industry's extensive presence in Australian schools and sports clubs, prompting calls for a parliamentary inquiry.
  • Climate advocacy group Comms Declare identified over 260 industry-backed programs reaching children, raising concerns about "petro-grooming."
  • While the resources minister defended industry sponsorships, critics argue these programs influence children and downplay corporate responsibility for climate change.

Calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the fossil fuel industry's engagement with children have intensified in Australia, following an investigation by climate advocacy group Comms Declare. The group's report, titled "petro-grooming," highlights the sector's pervasive presence in educational institutions and sports clubs, reaching children from early childhood centers to high school.

Get your dirty hands off our kids, that is our message to the fossil fuel industry, who have no place in early-learning centres, in schools, or in our cultural institutions in this country.

— Belinda NobleFounder of Comms Declare, speaking at a press conference to launch the report on fossil fuel industry engagement with children.

Comms Declare identified at least 260 industry-backed programs and sponsorships. These include educational materials developed with sponsorship from Shell and its subsidiary Queensland Gas Company for the Queensland Museum, and STEM programs funded by fossil fuel companies that encouraged young students to model offshore drilling activities. The report argues that such initiatives often emphasize individual actions to reduce emissions while minimizing the role of major corporations in fossil fuel production.

Senator David Pocock and The Greens are backing the push for a Senate inquiry to examine the "scale, nature and impact of fossil fuel engagement" with children. They advocate for a national ban on advertising and sponsorships from coal, oil, and gas companies. Belinda Noble, founder of Comms Declare, stated, "The coal oil and gas companies are profiteering [and] polluting, while simultaneously petro-grooming our kids." She emphasized that children should learn in environments free from conflicted commercial influence.

The coal oil and gas companies are profiteering [and] polluting, while simultaneously petro-grooming our kids.

— Belinda NobleFounder of Comms Declare, explaining the organization's concerns about industry influence on children.

Resources Minister Madeleine King has defended industry sponsorships, noting that many companies are willing to support grassroots and elite sports. However, critics, including The Greens' resources spokesperson Steph Hodgins-May, accuse fossil fuel companies of using these programs to "build social licence." The Greens plan to push for the Senate inquiry before the federal parliament rises for its winter break.

build social licence

— Steph Hodgins-MayThe Greens' resources spokesperson, accusing fossil fuel companies of using programs and sponsorships for public acceptance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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