The Hague Becomes First City Globally To Ban Fossil Fuel Advertising

IMAGE COURTESY : Holland.com

A few months ago, UN Chief Antonio Guterres’ called on governments and media to enact bans on fossil fuel advertising, similar to the bans on tobacco advertising.

The Hague responded to this call by passing a groundbreaking local law that bans advertisements promoting fossil fuel products as well as high-carbon services like cruise ships and air travel, effective by January 1, 2025. This is the first time a city has banned fossil fuel ads through local legislation, although many other cities have attempted before.

Femke Sleegers, from Reclame Fossielvrij (Fossil Free Advertising)said that -: “The Hague shows the courage needed to tackle the climate crisis… The Hague shows that this is possible through local law. This decision could have a snowball effect worldwide.”

This landmark legislation sends a powerful message that governments are ready to take concrete steps to address the climate crisis and protect their citizens from harmful commercial influences.

The Advertising for high-emission products tends to increase their sales by awakening supposed needs in consumers. On a cultural meta-level, it also normalises the consumption of environmentally harmful products – although we all urgently need to reduce our lifestyle carbon footprint in order to keep global warming within tolerable limits. The “City of Peace and Justice” sends a strong signal for sustainability and intergenerational justice – local and media politicians around the world should take a look and reflect on their options for limiting fossil advertising in cities, on television, on platforms and in other media in favour of our children and grandchildren.

The ban is seen as a potential catalyst for similar actions worldwide.

Andrew Simms, author, the New Weather Institute, UK said that-: “The city of The Hague has declared it is no longer willing to promote its own self destruction by banning in law adverts for the most polluting products and lifestyles. After the hottest summer on record and the huge, rapidly growing health and economic costs of air pollution from burning fossil fuels, this legal move is one of the easiest steps governments can take at the city and national level. When you are in a climate-crisis hole, the simplest thing to do is stop digging and that means not advertising the things that got you in trouble to begin with. Any sensible, responsible authority should follow The Hague’s initiative.”

Key points:

• The Hague is the first city globally to enact a local law banning fossil fuel advertising.
• The ban applies to fossil fuel products and high-carbon services.
• The law takes effect on January 1, 2025.
• This is the first governmental response after the call for action by Guterres to ban fossil fuel advertising in the same way in which they handled tobacco advertising.

Leonhard Rabensteiner, from Werbefrei Austria said that-: “We congratulate The Hague to this important step in the fight against fossil ads! Stopping incentives for climate-harmful consumption is an important step towards climate neutrality. We hope that both Graz (Austria) will soon follow The Hague’s example, and that many other cities and municipalities decide for this step too.”

Anna Jonsson, from New Weather Sweden said that-: High carbon ads are polluting our minds and fuelling the climate crises. The decision in Hague to introduce a legal ban on such ads is groundbreaking news and a great step forward in limiting the influence of the fossil fuel industry. Many cities around the world share the same ambition, and the Hague ban will be an important inspiration.

This historic move by The Hague could inspire other cities and governments to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that could significantly impact the fight against climate change.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy