More than a dozen municipalities across the country have now tried to put in place some form of restriction either through local laws or public contracts.
The road has not always been easy. The Netherlands’ travel trade organisation ANVR and three travel operators went to court in 2024, claiming The Hague’s law breached their right to freedom of speech and would not actually reduce fossil fuel use. But a judge ruled that the ban could help combat climate change and improve people’s health, and said the city had properly substantiated its reasons for putting it in place. It has been in force since April 2025. The ANVR did not respond to a request for comment. The Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions was also asked for comment but did not respond.
Several UK cities have also introduced bans. In 2024, the city of Edinburgh banned advertising for fossil fuel companies, airlines, airports, fossil fuel-powered cars, SUVs and cruise ships on council-owned advertising spaces, including bus stops and digital media. Sheffield introduced a similar policy the same year, also including any content “which might reasonably be deemed to promote more flying”. In February 2026, Portsmouth also introduced a ban.Â
Climate campaigners have now turned their attention to the UK capital, where transport operator Transport for London (TfL) has one of the largest advertising estates in the world. In November, London mayor Sadiq Khan agreed to review the body’s advertising policy to see if it could be greener.Â
In Australia, 19 jurisdictions have already voted for or implemented some level of restriction on fossil fuel advertising, including Sydney, its largest city. And the regional council in Greater Wellington, New Zealand, agreed in 2023 to stop fossil fuel adverts on public transport and council assets.