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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/13/the-hague-becomes-worlds-first-city-to-ban-fossil-fuel-related-ads>
"The Hague has become the first city in the world to pass a law banning
advertisements promoting fossil fuel products and climate-busting services.
Legislation passed on Thursday spells the end of publicly and privately funded
advertising for petrol and diesel, aviation and cruise ships in the streets of
the Dutch city, including on billboards and bus shelters. It takes effect from
the start of next year.
It is the first time a city has banned high-carbon advertising through local
legislation. The decision follows a call by the UN chief, António Guterres,
earlier this year for governments and media to enact such bans, as they have
done with tobacco.
Some cities have already tried to limit the reach of high-carbon products and
services through council motions or voluntary agreements with advertising
operators. Edinburgh council agreed in May to ban advertising for fossil fuel
companies, airlines, airports, fossil fuel-powered cars, cruise ships and arms
on council-owned advertising spaces. Companies selling these products will also
no longer be able to sponsor events or other partnerships in Scotland’s
capital.
The Hague’s ban, which has taken two years to pass, is legally binding. It
outlaws fossil fuel products and services with a high carbon footprint, but it
does not cover political advertising by the fossil fuel industry or adverts
that promote a general brand.
Femke Sleegers of the Dutch fossil-free advertising group Reclame Fossielvrij,
which helped publicise a campaign for the ban, said previous attempts to
regulate fossil fuel advertising in the city had failed because operators
refused to comply. “The Hague shows the courage needed to tackle the climate
crisis,” she said.
Thijs Bouman, an associate professor in environmental psychology at
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, said fossil fuel advertising undermined climate
policy because it normalised and promoted unsustainable behaviour.
“Major government investments are needed to counteract the negative effect of
fossil advertising,” he said. “If fossil advertising is banned, these resources
can be better deployed, for example to strengthen sustainable options and
facilities such as public transport.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
