The move, which passed by eight votes to one, updates the council’s Advertising and Sponsorship Policy to restrict the promotion of items considered to contribute significantly to carbon emissions.
With this policy change, Bristol becomes one of more than 20 councils in the UK to restrict advertising for high-carbon industries on council-owned property. However, it is the first council to extend these restrictions to include advertising for fast fashion.
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For a deeper look at what Bristol’s decision could mean for the wider fashion industry, read our Week in Review analysis: Is Bristol’s ad ban a warning for fast fashion?
Bristol City Council deputy leader councillor Heather Mack said: “As the first council to introduce restrictions on the advertising of fast fashion, we will continue to look at how we can keep improving our advertising policy so that our outdoor spaces reflect the positive values of Bristol and the local economy.”
In addition to fast fashion, the revised policy will see the end of marketing campaigns for petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, including all SUV models and electric SUVs, as well as bans on advertisements for flights, airports, cruise holidays, travel agents, fossil fuel companies, and their associated brands on council-controlled sites.
The council oversees a large advertising estate throughout the city, including on bus shelters, digital screens, and billboards.
The updated restrictions are set to reinforce Bristol’s established rules limiting ads for gambling, payday loans, and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, as part of its “responsible advertising” framework.
According to the council, the change is aligned with its broader climate ambitions. By removing these ads, the council intends to curb the promotion of products and services linked to higher carbon footprints and to advance policies aimed at climate action and nature recovery.
This decision was a “win-win for the people of Bristol,” councillor Heather Mack stated.
“By banning the advertisement of fossil fuels and products which produce high carbon emissions on council-owned billboards, bus shelters and digital screens, we can encourage the promotion of more sustainable products which are better for individuals and better for the environment,” she said.
The council’s policy review highlighted the growing influence of advertising on behaviour and consumption patterns and referenced increasing interest from UK local authorities in using advertising rules to mitigate negative effects on public health and the environment.
The revised policy will determine how future advertising and sponsorship agreements are handled on council-owned sites throughout Bristol.
“Advertising forces itself upon all of us. Whilst scrolling, whilst walking, whilst waiting for the bus, it has negative impacts on our health and wellbeing as well as the climate, environment and local economy. And it is unsurprisingly the most extractive and damaging industries that are able to spend the most,” Heather Mack added.
