The Hague is the first city in the world to ban fossil advertising through local law (ordinance). Today the city council voted in favor of the initiative proposal from the Hague Party for the Animals that regulates this ban. Leonie Gerritsen (PvdD): ‘The Hague will become the first city in the world to actually ban fossil advertising. This is an important signal that the government city is sending: we must get rid of our fossil addiction.’
The ban will come into effect on January 1, 2025 and applies to advertising for fossil products and services such as air holidays, cruise holidays, petrol cars and gas suppliers. In four months, these advertisements will have disappeared from the public space of The Hague. Leonie Gerritsen (PvdD): “The Hague wants to be climate neutral by 2030. Then it is inappropriate to allow advertising for products from the fossil industry. Fortunately, the city council now recognizes this.”
Courage
Advertising Fossil Free is also pleased. “The Hague shows the courage needed to tackle the climate crisis. If you want to get rid of fossil fuels, you stop advertising that promotes fossil fuel use,” he said Femke Sleegers. She thinks that many cities will follow the example of The Hague. “The Hague shows that this is possible through local law. This decision could have a snowball effect worldwide.”
Contracts
The municipalities of Zwolle and Tilburg (both Netherlands) are still in the process of banning fossil ads through local law. Most other cities that want to ban fossil advertising from public spaces arrange this via contracts or voluntary agreements with operators. Gerritsen: “The disadvantage of this is that with a bit of bad luck, it can take eight years before all fossil advertising has disappeared from the city. With this new policy, all fossil ads will disappear at the same moment, a clear signal to the city and the companies.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for a global ban on fossil advertising.
