The Hague Becomes The First City In The World To Ban Fossil Fuel Ads

The Hague in the Netherlands. (Alix Greenman-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Hague in the Netherlands became the first city in the world to pass a law (UU) prohibiting advertisements for fossil fuel products. The law came into effect in early 2025.

This provision also marks the end of billboard advertisements and promotions at bus stops related to gasoline, diesel and fuel for airplanes and cruise ships.

This is the first time a city has completely banned fossil fuel advertisements or those related to it through the local law.

The law related to this ban was passed on Thursday 12 September after two years of discussion on the Hague Council.

The pro advertisement watcher group prohibits the promotion of fossil fuels Reclame Fossilvrij has welcomed the law after previous efforts by the Hague Council failed due to advertising operators refusing to comply.

"Den Hague shows the courage needed to overcome the climate crisis," said Reclame Fossilvrij representative, Femke Sleegers, quoted from The Guardian, Friday, September 13.

The birth of this rule is also in the aftermath of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' appeal in early 2024 so that the government and the media can enforce the ban. After previously Antonio hoped for a tobacco ban.

On the one hand, a number of cities in the world have restricted ads for high-carbon products and services through rules in board meetings or voluntary agreements with advertising operators.

One that has implemented the Council of Edinburgh in Scotland in May 2024. The office environment of the Council of Edinburgh is prohibited from advertising weapons, affiliated companies, airlines, airports, cars, and fossil fuel cruise ships.

Companies related to fossil fuels are also no longer allowed to sponsor other events or partnerships in the Scottish capital.

UU Deen Hague terkait larangan ad bahan bakar fosil ini dipadang menjadi pemasik kampanye serupa di seluruh dunia, termasuk Toronto di Kanada dan Graz di Austria.

A similar-same law has also been proposed in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam. Although it has not yet become Law, Amsterdam and its neighboring city, Haarlem, have previously imposed an unwritten ban on products that contribute to climate damage, including meat.