Historical sentence encourages more cities to block fossil fuel ads
propagandaDutch Court Confirm the prohibition of fossil fuel ads In The Hague, in a “historical sentence” activists expect to encourage other cities to take measures. Last September, The Hague became the first city in the world to spread A law prohibits ads promoted by fossil fuelsIncluding gasoline, air transport and cruises.
The law entered into force on January 1, but AnVR, and the Dutch Travel Agencies Association, and Tui Travel submitted demands against its cancellation ban. On Friday, April 25, the Local Hague Court ruled in favor of the city: The first time that the court examined the ban on the announcement Municipal.
“Es Great progress to ban ads “From fossil fuel and the health of people and the planet,” says Femke Clegers, from Relaamor Fossielvryj (Declaration without fossil fuel). Municipalities all over the world can now clean the streets of their advertisements that nourish the climatic crisis. “
“like Antitabaco Policies It is ineffective when tobacco ads everywhere, we cannot have an effective climate policy while fossil fuel products are promoted at every corner. “
Why did the court preserve the prohibition of fossil fuel ads?
During the precautionary measures, the judge rejected all objections to the ban. AnVR and tui argued that It contradicts the right to freedom of expression and freedom of work. They also refuted the statement that the ban would reduce emissions, and said that the city council was not trained to implement it.
But the court considered this The reasons for the ban were sufficiently justified This can contribute to a confrontation The effects of climate change Improving the health of the city’s residents. The sentence says: “After all, the public interests of the health of citizens are not confronted except through the commercial interests of advertisers. Therefore, it should not be surprised that this weighting was harmful to advertisers.”
“It is not compatible with the City Council to refrain from taking measures to enhance the health of its residents in order to strengthen Future (financial) position for travel suppliers“The ban is also prohibited from approving public opinion, according to a survey published by climate actions against wrong information (CAAD) last week.
71 % of the Dutchman believe that the prohibition of advertising fossil fuels It is an effective way to reduce the spread of wrong climate information detrimental. Although it has been in effect since early 2025, a temporary agreement means that fines will not be imposed until May 1.
Activists want to see the effect of snowball in other cities
With the sentence last week, The Hague I feel that politicians, experts and climate defenders want to be repeated elsewhere. “This sentence represents a milestone. It shows that the municipalities are not unable, but in reality They have tools to deal with the climate crisisRobert Parker, Vice -President of The Hague (animal party) says. “It will be great that many cities around the world Follow their exampleEach of them offers their own contribution to a better and more sustainable future. “
“It is good to follow cities around the world, for example, Hague and provides a law similar to help On the occasion of the beginning of the era of exhaustion “From fossil fuels, a feeling of safety with the winds of this sentence behind him,” says Jonathan White, a lawyer of the environmental environmental environmental agent, says Jonathan White, the lawyer for the environmental environmental environment agent.
The Secretary -General of the United Nations, António Guterres, had already requested A global ban on advertising One of the fossil fuel companies in tobacco style, which condemns it as “climate chaos”. France was the first country In banning fossil fuel ads in 2022, but in a weaker way, fossil gas ads and ads still allow the context of juvenile care.
Like Haya, cities and other municipalities have introduced initiatives Blocking the advertisement of oil, gas and coal. Fossil fuel ads are banned in some spaces – including public transportation – in Amsterdam Since 2021.
Last year, Edinburgh decided Ads prevent “high -carbon content products” In municipal real estate spaces, such as advertising fences and bus stations.
