Description
The municipality of The Hague has won a Climate Star Award, a European climate prize. The city is receiving the award for the ban on fossil advertising introduced from 1 January 2025. The Hague was the first city in the world to introduce such a ban. The award is given by the Climate Alliance, an international network of more than 2,000 cities and regions committed to fair and effective climate policies.
Councillor Robert Barker (Outdoor Space, Animal Welfare and Environment): “As a large city by the sea, we are among the first to feel the effects of climate change. Idleness is not an option. The ban means companies can no longer promote products that exacerbate the climate crisis. We are humbled that our pioneering work has been noticed abroad and is now even rewarded with an award.”
The ban on fossil advertising in public spaces of The Hague was introduced on January 1st, 2025. The initiative banned advertisements for polluting products such as cruises, air travel holidays and contracts for fossil-fuel-based electricity.
With the ban, Councillor Barker also hopes to inspire other municipalities and governments. “The Hague was the first city in the world to ban fossil advertising from public spaces because it contributes to exacerbating the climate crisis. By doing so, we show that you can also contribute to the fight against climate change at a local level. It would be nice if more municipalities follow,” he said.
Background
As 1st municipality in the world, The Hague has adopted a fossil ad ban in the local ordinance (local law). The travel industry went to court to stop the fossil ad ban in The Hague (dd April 11th 2025). The court tossed all the arguments of the travel industry and upholds the fossil ad ban. The court was very clear in its verdict (dd April 25th 2025): people and planet provail above financial interest of companies.