Credit: Travis Leery via Unsplash
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 Comms Declare, an activist group working to convince agencies away from working with fossil fuel companies.
The report, From Cradle to Career: Fossil Fuel Industry Presence in Australian Childhood Settings, is the first national investigation into fossil fuel industry engagement with children in Australia.
Researchers identified 260 publicly documented programs and sponsorships run or funded by fossil fuel companies and industry bodies that reached children aged up to 18 in recent years.
Education provider Teacher Earth Science Education Programme Ltd, which has fossil fuel industry links, projected its activities could reach more than two million Australian students over five years.
The investigation found more than $54 million in disclosed funding across six of the programs. Funding figures were located for only a fraction of the programs examined, suggesting the true spend is likely 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," Noble said.
"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."
PureProfile polling commissioned by Comms Declare in April found 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 identifies governance and transparency gaps, with little public visibility over how sponsorship arrangements, educational materials and industry partnerships operate.
"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," Noble said.
Comms Declare is calling for a Senate Inquiry into the scale, nature and impact of fossil fuel industry engagement with children, alongside a national ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships.
The organisation says an inquiry could examine current agreements, identify options for strengthening governance and accountability, and consider alternative funding pathways.
The ACT 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.
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