BREAK THE FOSSIL INFLUENCE

The document argues that fossil fuel companies use disinformation campaigns, similar to the tobacco industry's historical tactics, to obstruct climate action and harm public health. It urges health organizations to leverage their credibility and market influence—noting a healthcare advertising market valued at USD 42.28 billion in 2024—to revoke the industry's 'social license' by refusing to hire agencies with fossil fuel ties. The guide outlines a 'Commitment for Fossil-Free Health Communications' and a three-step screening process: requesting full client disclosure (specifically for the past 3 years), seeking a fossil-free commitment (such as the Clean Creatives pledge), and verifying public accountability. It cites the 2014 decision by CVS Health to stop selling tobacco products as a precedent for how health-focused entities can catalyze broader industry change by aligning business practices with health missions.

• The fossil fuel industry employs 'targeted lobbying and doubt-inducing media strategies' to mislead the public and policymakers, mirroring the tactics previously used by the tobacco industry to stall action.
• Health organizations possess significant influence in the PR and advertising space, with the global healthcare advertising market valued at USD 42.28 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 64.21 billion by 2032.
• The guide proposes a three-step screening process for health organizations to evaluate agencies: asking for full client disclosure (focusing on the last 3 years), requesting a commitment to not work with fossil fuel companies in the future, and reviewing public statements for accountability.
• The 'Commitment for Fossil-Free Health Communications' encourages organizations to work exclusively with agencies that have no ongoing relationships with oil, gas, coal, or associated lobbying organizations and to reject agencies that promote greenwashing.
• CVS Health's 2014 decision to stop selling tobacco in 7,600 U.S. stores, which cost an estimated $2 billion in annual revenue, serves as a case study for how health organizations can revoke the social license of harmful industries.

APA

Global Climate and Health Alliance (2025). BREAK THE FOSSIL INFLUENCE. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/UPDATED-2005_Fossil-Fuel-PR-Guidance-Report-Digital.pdf

Chicago

Global Climate and Health Alliance. BREAK THE FOSSIL INFLUENCE. 2025. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/UPDATED-2005_Fossil-Fuel-PR-Guidance-Report-Digital.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Climate and Health Alliance |title=BREAK THE FOSSIL INFLUENCE |date=May 2025 |url=https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/UPDATED-2005_Fossil-Fuel-PR-Guidance-Report-Digital.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalclimateandhealthalliance2025break, author = {{Global Climate and Health Alliance}}, title = {{BREAK THE FOSSIL INFLUENCE}}, institution = {Global Climate and Health Alliance}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/UPDATED-2005_Fossil-Fuel-PR-Guidance-Report-Digital.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }