Comms Declare has followed through on its intentions to take action against Australian Gas Networks (AGN) for its claims about 'renewable gas' in its sponsorship of MasterChef, filing a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

As reported by Mi3 last week, the climate communications group was planning to submit a complaint to regulators over the partnership, but had yet not decided which was most suitable. 

The complaint specifically cites a statement by MasterChef host Andy Allen in Episode 4, where he said the show is 'going greener with renewable gas'. Comms Declare argues that the biomethane and grey hydrogen used in the MasterChef kitchen is not renewable, low emissions, commercially viable, or available in ordinary Australian homes.

The group is calling on MasterChef producers to drop AGN as a sponsor and switch to induction cooking. The AGN's sponsorship deal with MasterChef has been widely criticised. Joy Toose, Climate Campaign Manager at Environment Victoria, has also criticised the use of hydrogen or biomethane in the gas network, calling it an 'impractical fantasy'.

Founder of Comms Declare, Belinda Noble, said: "We believe that hundreds of thousands of MasterChef fans are being deceived into thinking that the gas used in the program is good for the planet. The biomethane and grey hydrogen used in the MasterChef kitchen is not renewable, not low emissions, not commercially viable and not available in ordinary Australian homes. We call on MasterChef producers to drop this polluting sponsor and move to induction cooking, like their counterparts around the world."

Toose said that switching to efficient electric heating, cooking, and hot water systems is not only better for our health and for the climate, they’re also more affordable to run. "Pretending we can use hydrogen or biomethane in our gas network is an impractical fantasy. We couldn’t make anywhere near enough biomethane to cover our needs, and hydrogen is far too expensive for household use. It would require a complete overhaul of the gas network and the replacement of every single gas appliance."

The complaint was prepared and lodged by the Environmental Defenders Office. Comms Declare represents over 95 ad agencies and hundreds of communications professionals who have pledged not to promote the growth of fossil fuels, high greenhouse gas pollution as 'business as usual', or deception, distraction, or spin around science or climate actions.