The Hague, Netherlands’ third-largest city, has passed a local ordinance banning fossil fuel advertisements and ads for other highly-polluting services, becoming the first city in the world to do so. The ban includes outdoor advertising for fossil fuel, airline and cruise vacations, fossil gas suppliers, and gasoline-powered vehicles. The city aims to be climate neutral by 2030, making this ban a crucial step towards that goal.
The Netherlands has a progressive transportation system with a high usage of bicycles and electric vehicles, but still lags behind in per capita emissions due to its reliance on fossil fuels for energy. Fossil advertising bans could help shift consumer behaviors towards more sustainable choices, such as home solar installations and efficient heat pumps.
Cities like Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Sydney have also implemented fossil fuel ad bans, but The Hague's approach stands out for its immediate effect through a local law. Banning misleading ads from oil companies is a crucial step towards combating their long-standing campaign of misinformation and promoting a cleaner, greener future.