The Hague passes law to ban fossil fuel-related ads in public spaces

The Hague municipality has passed a law banning the advertising of fossil fuel-related products and services, such as cars with combustion engines and long-haul flights. This makes the Dutch city the first in the world to institute such a ban.

Dutch city becomes first in world to ban fossil fuel advertising

From January 1, 2025, advertisements for petrol and diesel, cruises, air travel, and other products that run on fossil fuel energy will be banned on the streets of The Hague. After two years of back and forth trying to get approval for the proposal, the Dutch municipality voted in favour and will start to implement the legislation next year.

As the first city in the world to pass such a ban, fossil fuel-related adverts will not be allowed on billboards, bus stops or any other public spaces. The ban will not cover adverts that promote a general brand or those on or inside buildings where such products and services are on offer, such as petrol stations, shop fronts or train stations.

Fossil fuel ad ban initially criticised for feasibility

The proposal to ban fossil fuel advertising was first suggested by the Party for the Animals (PvdD). "Fossil advertising encourages people to take flights or buy polluting cars," said PvdD environmental councillor Robert Barker. "That contributes to the climate crisis, while we want to combat it."

However, according to Omroep West, the VVD, Hart voor Den Haag and PVV had concerns that the ban would not be legally feasible and would be perceived as “patronising” to city residents. With some adjustments to the proposal, like those excluding advertisements on or in buildings where fossil fuel-related activities take place, the majority of council members (24 to 21) voted in favour of the proposal. 

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