The Hague first city to ban street ads for fossil fuels

The Hague will be the first city in the world to ban street advertising for fossil fuel products. The Netherlands’ third-largest city will no longer allow outdoor publicity for products or services contributing to the climate crisis. The ban will take effect on January 1st, 2025.

The Hague defines “fossil advertising” as advertising by or for companies in the coal, oil, gas, and aviation sectors, as well as advertising for climate-damaging products or services, like air holidays, airline tickets, gray power contracts, gas contracts, cruise trips, or cars with a fossil or hybrid fuel engine. 

Billboards and advertising screens

The rules apply, among other things, to the hundreds of advertising signs on billboards or advertising screens, electricity boxes, and light poles, in bus shelters, at tram stops, etc. The Hague wants to be climate-neutral by 2030.

The decision was followed by moves by cities such as Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Sydney, as well as a fiery speech by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in June calling for countries to ban fossil fuel advertising. Many countries have forbidden advertising for products that have proven harmful to human health, such as tobacco.