Media reaction

World-first law banning fossil fuel ads survives Dutch legal challenge

25 April 2025 

A Dutch city has successfully defended its landmark law to ban fossil fuel advertising –setting a precedent for cities across Europe in the process.   

At the start of this year, a high-carbon ad ban came into force in The Hague – the home of the International Court of Justice. The ban outlaws any publicly and privately funded advertising for petrol and diesel, aviation, and cruise ships.   

The ANVR – the Dutch trade association for travel agencies – and the travel company TUI filed lawsuits against the ban.  

Environmental legal charity ClientEarth – who supported a successful greenwashing case against the Dutch national airline KLM – wrote to The Hague City Council (Gemeente Den Haag) providing legal argument that the ban is both a fundamental step for averting the worst of the climate crisis and complies with EU law.  [1]  

ClientEarth lawyer Jonathan White said:  

“By introducing and successfully defending their high-carbon ad ban, The Hague has taken a bold step in the right direction when it comes to climate action.  

“As we saw decades ago with tobacco products, banning the advertising of a harmful product is a critical step in reducing its use.  

“Just like the tobacco ban, fossil fuel advertising restrictions comply with EU law – as it is clearly in the public interest for cities and states to address the climate crisis.   

“Cities the world over would be wise to follow The Hague’s lead and introduce a similar law to help usher in an era of depleting dependence on fossil fuels – and feel confident with the wind of this judgment behind them.”   

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The full ruling is available on the court’s website. 

[1]  ClientEarth’s letter is available here.   

For more information on the District Court of Amsterdam’s ruling against KLM, please see our press release here.  

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account, and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. From our offices in Europe, Asia and the USA we shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.