Shell ads banned for misleading clean energy claims

The ads failed to disclose Shell’s involvement in more polluting activities related to fossil fuels, according to the Advertising Standards Authority

Shell, the oil and gas giant, has been banned from running certain advertisements due to allegations of ‘misleading claims’ regarding the environmental impact of its energy production.

The ban includes a TV advert, a poster displayed in Bristol and a YouTube ad, all aired last year.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has determined that these advertisements failed to provide essential information concerning Shell’s involvement in more polluting activities related to fossil fuels.

While Shell’s advertising campaign successfully drew attention to its efforts in providing renewable energy and expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the ASA found that the ads were misleading in terms of Shell’s overall environmental impact.

The watchdog stressed the importance of providing a balanced representation of a company’s activities, particularly in carbon-intensive industries, to ensure consumers have an accurate understanding of its environmental credentials.

A spokesperson for Shell told ELN: “We strongly disagree with the ASA’s decision, which could slow the UK’s drive towards renewable energy. People are already well aware that Shell produces the oil and gas they depend on today.

“When customers fill up at our petrol stations across the UK, it’s under the instantly recognisable Shell logo.

“But what many people don’t know is we’re also investing heavily in low- and zero-carbon energy, including building one of the UK’s largest public networks of EV charge points.

“No energy transition can be successful if people are not aware of the alternatives available to them. That is what our adverts set out to show, and that is why we’re concerned by this short-sighted decision.”

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