Climate crisis: ‘Ban ads for polluting SUVs’ campaign urges, highlighting damaging trend for ever larger vehicles

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Advertising the most polluting cars on the roads – predominantly large Sports Utility Vehicles – should be immediately banned, according to a new campaign highlighting the growing damage done by the trend for ever larger private vehicles on British roads. The rapidly increasing sales of bigger and more polluting SUVs around the world is jeopardising climate goals, a report by thinktank The New Weather Institute and climate charity Possible claims. “In a pandemic-prone world people need clean air and more space on town and city streets.” The report’s authors note that the launch of their campaign comes as local authorities have implemented emergency efforts to create wider pavements and new pop-up cycle lanes to allow commuters to safely social distance whilst cycling and walking during the pandemic. In a climate emergency when we need to make the places where we live more people friendly, SUVs are in the way of progress.” Robbie Gillett, campaigner at Possible, said: “Whilst millions of us are trying to reduce our carbon footprints to tackle the climate crisis, we have a multi-billion pound car and advertising industry aggressively marketing highly polluting vehicles – many of which are literally too big for UK streets.