Amsterdam Bans Meat and Fossil Fuel Ads in Public Spaces to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Amsterdam has become the first capital city globally to ban meat and fossil fuel advertisements from public spaces. This initiative aims to discourage high carbon emissions linked with these products. Since May 1, ads for meat, airlines, gasoline cars, cruises, and various food items are no longer allowed in the city.

The ban was initiated by the GreenLeft and Party for the Animals political parties. Anneke Veenhoff, a city councillor from GreenLeft, stated that spending tax money on climate change policies while advertising products with high carbon emissions is contradictory.

The Amsterdam ban also includes ads for cruises to distant destinations and beef, chicken, pork, and fish products. In 2022, Haarlem became the first city in the world to ban most meat advertisements in public spaces, followed by a fossil fuel ad ban two years later. The Hague was the first city globally to legally bind a fossil fuel ban in 2025.

Opposition groups include the Dutch Advertisers’ Association and the Travel Agents’ Association, which argue that these bans infringe on commercial communication and freedom of expression. The Meat Association criticized the Amsterdam ban as an attempt to influence consumer behavior.

Over 50 cities worldwide have banned or are considering bans on fossil fuel and meat product advertisements to reduce global carbon consumption. In June 2024, U.N. head Antonio Guterres called for a ban on oil, gas, and coal advertising due to ongoing climate change impacts.