Edinburgh introduces landmark ban on advertisements for fossil fuels and arms manufacturers
In a motion passed on 28 May May 2024, Edinburgh Council banned advertising for fossil fuel companies, airlines, airports, fossil-powered cars, SUVs, cruise ships and arms manufacturers on council-owned advertising spaces, including billboards, bus stops and digital media. These companies will also no longer be able to sponsor events or other partnerships in Scotland’s capital city.
The policy was first proposed in 2022 by Scottish Green Councillor Ben Parke, with support from Adfree Cities finally coming to fruition after two years of development. The decision sees Edinburgh take the lead amongst a growing number of global cities taking steps to curb high-carbon advertising and sponsorships.
Robbie Gillett from Adfree Cities, said: “Our daily exposure to adverts encouraging us to buy more and more polluting products runs in contradiction to the urgent need to decarbonise our economy. Edinburgh Council have taken an important step to resolve that contradiction. This is literally world-leading climate policy, putting Edinburgh ahead of any other global capital city.”
It also follows Sheffield City Council, who introduced a similar policy to end polluting and unhealthy advertisements in March 2024, while other UK councils - such as Cambridgeshire, Coventry and Somerset - have also taken steps to curb fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships. In Ireland, opposition party Sinn Féin also introduced a Bill to parliament to end fossil fuel advertising in March 2024.
Scottish Greens Councillor Alys Mumford said:
“As a council we believe in climate justice, we believe in emissions reduction and we believe in making Edinburgh a better place to live and work. We know that climate anxiety is very real and having a massive impact on the mental health of our young people. This is about what we say about ourselves as a council and as a city.”
In its assessment of the policy, Edinburgh Council noted that reaching its net zero ambitions “requires a shift in society’s perception of success” and that while “the advertising industry has a key role to play in promoting low-carbon behaviours. Conversely, the promotion of high-carbon products is incompatible with net zero objectives.”
The council also chose to exclude advertising and sponsorships by arms manufacturers in a final amendment to the policy, with Councillor Parker saying:
“It is unthinkable that the council should enter into contracts with arms companies whose weapons – which in some cases are manufactured here in the city – are being used in the horrific and relentless bombardment of Palestine, at the same time as the Council has publicly called for a ceasefire.”
“Today we have taken a clear step to say: we don’t need their money, we don’t want their money, and we don’t think it’s right for the Council to legitimise the practices of organisations whose business is to profit from war.”
This is a huge win in the fight against greenwashing: a major international city has not only declared a commitment to climate justice, it has accepted this means refusing money from major polluters and arms manufacturers. It has recognised both that promoting polluting products is incompatible with a liveable future and that, because climate justice and social justice are inherently linked, this must extend to arms companies too.
This win is the result of dedicated work and collaboration behind the scenes, often on long timescales, to make the financial and social case for reclaiming public space from the onslaught of advertising. But, across England, one-third of local authorities now have some form of restrictions on harmful advertising. The tide is beginning to turn on harmful advertising, as increasing numbers realise the benefits for people and planet.
Reflecting on the win, Freddie Daley from Badvertising said:
“Removing adverts for polluting products is a rapid, cheap and popular way to cut emissions and help decarbonise our economy. Edinburgh Council have taken an important step and shown what is possible when ambition is twinned with action.”
We can’t wait to see which councils are next to follow Edinburgh’s lead.