Catherine Conlon: Is it time to ban ads for climate-trashing products?

There is increasing awareness in Europe and across the globe of the need to address high-carbon consumerism with the regulation of advertising as an example of a policy measure that can help with our climate change targets

Ireland has the fourth-highest level of transport emissions per capita in Europe and the transport sector is responsible for around 20% of our overall carbon dioxide emissions, with private cars accounting for 41% of emissions in the transport sector. File picture: Larry Cummins

Advertising increases the public’s carbon footprint by almost a third by encouraging extra consumption, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

The UK research was carried out by Purpose Disruptors, a network of advertising and marketing insiders pushing the industry to take responsibility for the emissions it drives. Laura Costello of the network’s Irish branch said that the research also applies to Ireland.