Amsterdam Gets Rid of Ads for Meat, Fossil Fuels

Amsterdam's billboards are going on a low-carbon diet. Since May 1, the Dutch capital has barred outdoor ads for meat, fossil fuels, and high-emission travel, which the BBC reports has eliminated images of burgers and chicken nuggets, diesel vehicles, cruises, and flights from tram shelters, metro stations, and other public spaces. The New York Times reports the rule does not extend to advertising in privately owned stores or in media like newspapers, radio, and websites.

It's in keeping with a city effort to become carbon neutral by 2050 and cut residents' meat intake in half in that same span of time. "If you want to be leading in climate policies and you rent out your walls to exactly the opposite, then what are you doing?" asked GreenLeft politician Anneke Veenhoff.

Inclusion of meat was an intentional one, designed to link it with fossil fuels as a climate issue. Industry groups call the restrictions an overreach that unfairly tries to steer consumer behavior and curbs commercial freedom. The BBC points out it's not a massive shakeup for the city's outdoor advertising market, which is dominated by ads for clothing, movies, and mobile phones. Indeed, meat is thought to have accounted for 0.1% of ad spend, with fossil fuel-related products at 4%.