Edinburgh City Council has decided to prohibit advertisements and sponsorships on its properties if they promote ‘high carbon’ products.
This move aligns with the council’s declaration of a climate emergency and aims to reduce the promotion of environmentally harmful goods and services within the city.
The revised policy specifically bans the advertising of airlines, airports, fossil fuel companies, and cars—except for electric or hydrogen vehicles that are not SUVs—as well as cruise holidays. Notably, the policy does not include restrictions on food advertisements, acknowledging that banning meat adverts could be ‘highly controversial’.
A council report indicates that these new rules might lead to a reduction in revenue, potentially costing the council £200,000 annually by 2030. However, campaign group Adfree Cities, which has experience collaborating with various councils, argues that claims of diminished advertising contract values lack evidence.
James Ward, a counter-greenwash campaigner at Adfree Cities, praised the policy, stating that it demonstrates how local governments can take action against the influence of polluting industries, even when national governments are slow to respond.
Ward expressed hope that other councils would follow Edinburgh’s lead, as well as Sheffield, which implemented a similar policy in March. He emphasized that advertising and sponsorship are powerful tools councils can use to further their climate objectives, public health, biodiversity, and the quality of public spaces. Photo by kim traynor, Wikimedia commons.