Stockholm leads the way with a fossil fuel advertising ban

Image: Visit Stockholm

This article was originally published by New Weather Sweden.

Photo: Kévin Jiner

The City of Stockholm announced on October 8 that a ban on fossil fuel advertising in the city will be introduced from the summer of 2026. Stockholm will ban fossil fuel advertising in the city's own advertising spaces, according to the new budget from the Social Democrats, the Green Party and the Left Party. 

The decision is bold and groundbreaking. Stockholm will join Amsterdam, The Hague, Sydney and other cities that have already taken the step to stop advertising that fuels the climate crisis. Fossil fuel advertising is a threat to our children's future. It is only a matter of time before it is banned completely, just like tobacco advertising.

Environment and Climate Mayor In an interview with Swedish Radio, Åsa Lindhagen (MP) announced that a definition of what is meant by fossil fuel advertising will be developed, already now she flags that air travel and fossil fuel cars should be included. Fossil fuel sponsorship of the city's sports stadiums will also be banned. 

Stockholm is the first municipality in the country to ban fossil fuel advertising on its own billboards. We applaud them for taking the lead, together with Region Stockholm and Västtrafik who have already taken similar decisions. Now we hope that this will be a kick in the butt for other municipalities that are in the starting blocks, such as Gothenburg where the issue is under investigation.

Background information

The governing majority in Stockholm city announced already after the last election that it wanted to see a fossil advertising ban, and then launched an investigation. Now Stockholm politicians are delivering a sharp decision. This is what they write in Stockholm's budget for 2026:

Photo: Philip Myrtorp

"The city shall not provide advertising space for fossil-based products and services. The City Council shall develop a coherent and city-wide policy on advertising and sponsorship. The policy shall include guidelines aimed at prohibiting advertising and sponsorship that may be considered fossil fuel-driven, express human rights violations or constitute influence campaigns by foreign powers."

Sponsorship and advertising in connection with sports halls are also specifically identified and the Sports Board is tasked with "in consultation with the municipal board and based on future city-wide guidelines, develop a direction for how advertising and sponsorship on sports surfaces should be handled." Link to the decision (see pages 55, 67, 187, 278):

Budget 2026-2028, Finance Mayor's proposal, City of Stockholm