A historic phrase encourages multiple cities to prohibit fossil fuels advertisements

A Dutch court has The prohibition of ads of fossil fuels confirmed In the Hague, in a “historical phrase” that activists expect to encourage other cities to take measures. Last September, Hague became the first city in the world to promulgate A law that prohibits the advertisements promoted by fossil fuelsincluding petrol car, air transport and cruises.

The law entered into force on January 1, but Anvr, the Dutch association of travel agencies and the Tui travel company have submitted requests against the ban on canceling it. On Friday 25 April, the District Court of AIA decided in favor of the city: it is The first time a court therefore examines an advertising ban municipal.

“Eg Great progress for the prohibition of ads of fossil fuels and for the health of people and the planet “, says Femke Sleers, by Relamorvrij (advertising without fossil fuels)”. Municipalities from all over the world can now clean their advertising roads that feed the climatic crisis. “

“Just like Antitobaco policies They are ineffective when tobacco ads are everywhere, we cannot have an effective climatic policy while fossil fuel products are promoted in every corner, “he adds.

Why has the court maintain the ban on fossil fuels?

During the procedure of precautionary measures, the judge rejected all the objections to the ban. Anvr and Tui have supported him goes against the right to freedom of expression and freedom of business. They also refuted the declaration that the ban would reduce emissions and stated that the city council is not trained to apply it.

But the court considered it The reasons for the ban were sufficiently justified And this could help counteract The effects of climate change and improve the health of the city population. “After all, the general interests of citizens’ health are only contrasted by the commercial interests of the advertisers. Therefore, it should not surprise that this weighting of interest has been harmful to advertisers,” says the sentence.

“It does not correspond to the city council to refrain from taking measures to promote the health of its residents to strengthen The future (financial) position of travel providers“The ban also has the approval of public opinion, according to a survey published by Climate AGAINST MAINFORMATION (CAAD) last week.

71% of the Dutch believe that the ban on the advertising of fossil fuels It is an effective way to reduce the spread of climatic disinformation harmful. Although it has been in force since the beginning of 2025, a transitional agreement means that fines will not be imposed until May 1.

Activists want to see a snowball effect in other cities

With the sentence last week, Agua Feel a precedent that politicians, experts and defenders of the climate want to be repeated in other places. “This sentence marks a milestone. It shows that the municipalities are not defenseless, but in fact They have tools to face the climatic crisis“, Says Robert Barker, deputy mayor of the age (animal party).” It would be nice that many more cities all over the world Followed their exampleEach of which gives its own contribution to a better and more sustainable future. “

“Cities around the world would do well to follow the example of the Hague and introduce a similar law to help Mark the beginning of an era of dependence exhaustion Of fossil fuels and feel safe with the wind of this phrase behind him, “adds Jonathan White, an environmental charitable environmental customer lawyer.

The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, had already requested A world ban on advertising of fossil fuels in the tobacco style, denouncing them as “sponsor of climatic chaos”. France was the first country In prohibiting fossil fuels ads in 2022, but in a weaker way that still allows ads and ads of fossil gases in the context of the sponsorship of events.

Like Haya, other cities and municipalities have also introduced initiatives a Prohibit oil, gas and coal advertising. Fossil fuel ads are prohibited in some spaces – including public transport – in Amsterdam From 2021.

Last year, the city of Edinburg decided Prohibit ads for “products with high carbon content” in municipal real estate spaces, such as advertising fences and bus stops.