The Hague in the Netherlands has become the first city in the world to ban fossil fuel advertisements.
Yesterday, Thursday, September 12, the city council approved a law that bans, starting January 1, 2025, the promotion of fossil fuel and highly polluting products and services, such as cruise ships, air travel, gasoline-powered cars and gas supplies. It is the first time that a city has responded to the heartfelt appeal launched last June by António Guterres , Secretary General of the United Nations.
Oil & Gas companies, the head of the United Nations attacked, "are responsible for climate chaos but continue to accumulate record profits". For this reason, Guterres added, "all States should ban advertising by fossil fuel companies".
No government has responded to the UN's call, but at the local level several cities have started to move to adopt laws and municipal regulations. Zwolle and Tilburg, two other cities in the Netherlands, are about to ban advertising for oil and gas products and services through local measures. While other municipalities are opting for another method, namely signing contracts or voluntary agreements with operators in the sector. In the case of The Hague, the first city to pass a unique law, it was the Party for the Animals that proposed the initiative. "The Hague wants to be climate neutral by 2030. It is therefore inappropriate to allow advertising for products from the fossil industry. Fortunately, the city council now also recognizes this," said Leonie Gerritsen, a local representative of the animal rights party.
Photo by Ivo Nederlof from Pexels