We know that many countries have set aggressive climate goals, and actually achieving those isn’t proving to be so easy. So along those lines, local politicians in Amsterdam have just introduced new regulations that are sure to be controversial. I sort of see where they’re coming from, but this all strikes me as being a step too far.
In this post:
Amsterdam rolls out extreme airline advertising ban
As of May 2026, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam has introduced new policies, intended to better align local advertising regulations with the climate goals in the city and country, as flagged by Live and Let’s Fly.
With this, Amsterdam has banned all public advertising for meat and fossil fuel products, so you’ll no longer see any billboards in the city for these kinds of products and services. Amsterdam is hoping to be carbon neutral by 2050, and also to reduce meat consumption by 50% over that time period.
So the idea is that public advertising shouldn’t be allowed to promote these “sins” that are part of a high carbon lifestyle. It’s the same as how many places have banned ads for things like cigarettes, or how cigarette cartons have all kinds of warnings about how smoking kills.
I get the logic, but this seems extreme to me
The Netherlands has aggressive climate goals, and that’s largely commendable. However, I think politicians in the country sure are going to the extreme when it comes to the extent to which they’re vilifying air travel.
In recent years, we’ve of course seen the government try to cap flights at Amsterdam Schiphol, which has been a major headache for flag carrier KLM, given that it’s the carrier’s only hub. The government has largely had to backtrack on those plans, after European Union authorities intervened.
I don’t claim to have a solution here, and I also respect that leadership in the Netherlands isn’t just setting climate goals, and then going “shucks” when they miss their target, because they didn’t actually do anything to achieve them.
At the same time, what’s really the goal here? Does the government in the Netherlands just want that people almost never travel by air, by making it uncool, and by making it more expensive (through constant cuts to flight caps)?
And big picture, what will that really mean for the country? Decreased air connectivity is also tied to decreased economic activity. If you ask me, it would be more logical to incentivize airlines to fly fuel efficient aircraft to the Netherlands, and maybe even include some sort of a carbon offset tax on tickets, so that projects can be undertaken to counteract emissions.
Travel offers a lot of value to society, and I also don’t think that making it something that exclusively rich people can afford is the solution either.
If you zoom out a bit, there’s no denying that anti-smoking campaigns have worked, and have gotten fewer people to smoke. But is this really how we want to frame air travel?
Bottom line
The city of Amsterdam has introduced new regulations around advertising in the city, whereby all public advertising for meat and fossil fuel products is no longer allowed. This includes restrictions on airline advertising.
I get that the Netherlands has climate goals, and wants to actually take action to achieve them. But I can’t help but think there will be a massive societal cost to less air connectivity, less desire to travel to distant places, etc.
What do you make of Amsterdam’s new advertising regulations?
Billboards are an eye-sore. Who cares if they go away
This push to drastically reduce airline travel will not go over well with many people. What a novel idea but at what cost?
People really have no clue about Amsterdam or their locals/sentiment of the people: its a stunning, gorgeous, ive been over 20 times as a reg stop in my inter euro travels, with amazing people....but its tiny, the main areas are ridiculously crowded during peak seasons, its $$$ and pushed a bunch out of center but city has done well to maintain a good chunk, so people are biking working and living life with constant hordes...
People really have no clue about Amsterdam or their locals/sentiment of the people: its a stunning, gorgeous, ive been over 20 times as a reg stop in my inter euro travels, with amazing people....but its tiny, the main areas are ridiculously crowded during peak seasons, its $$$ and pushed a bunch out of center but city has done well to maintain a good chunk, so people are biking working and living life with constant hordes of tourists, and I think with THIS: the airport is super close and was shocked when I went in February this past year the days prior had "air quality" alerts....like Amsterdam? I think the topography, climate change and proximity of airport and ofc high demand has caused some problems they want to mitigate. But why not.....build other airports a bit further away? or expand the inner parts between Rotterdam and Amsterdam so it becomes a dual city and spreads tourists? this isnt leftist overreach, this is an issue for the people of Amsterdam. theyre wealthy, smart, its a huge hub of innovation/finance, dutch are incredibly articulate and educated and most would prefer less tourists by any means....ofc the businesses in centrum may be affected but a bunch are crap and area can be a bit better.
Left wing crazy people at it again.
I find it sad to see Europe cannibalize itself. However, I don't really care anymore. I don't live there anymore and I'm reinforced in this choice as I see things like this. Transportation and mobility are things that should be supported instead of hindered. Yes, it should be at the best efficiency possible, but the demand exists whether they like it or not. Maybe people should start with not going to Amsterdam or holding meetings there anymore.
There is extremism on both sides. And obviously, extremist are the ones making the headlines.
Why don't they ban having children. And immigration. And tourists. And curtail Healthcare to those over 65. Since the source of all global woe is... people. So the less people in Amsterdam the lower the level of use/ demand, and then the more they can pat themselves on the back for taking bold measures
They don't need to ban having children - older versions of the same theme of social engineering have guaranteed native European birthrates are collapsing today.
That's kind of the point of banning the aviation or meat ads now - in the short-term expect increasing friction in (what you considered to be normal) aspects of your everyday life, but in the medium to long term future, the majority of elderly remaining Europeans won't be flying...
They don't need to ban having children - older versions of the same theme of social engineering have guaranteed native European birthrates are collapsing today.
That's kind of the point of banning the aviation or meat ads now - in the short-term expect increasing friction in (what you considered to be normal) aspects of your everyday life, but in the medium to long term future, the majority of elderly remaining Europeans won't be flying recreationally, or earting more than a few grams of animal protein a day.
Just learnt how to define misanthropic
As hoa president in my small condo complex, the board is proposing a ban on children. hehehehehehe
As much of an asshole as Trump is, this is the kind of stupidity that awaits us in the US if we hand power over to the other side. Two horrible choices.
Even AOC isn't going to ban airline advertising you maroon. FOX and Trump have done a hell of a job conning you into thinking everyone to the left of Ben Shapiro is a Marxist out to confiscate your personal property. Get out of your bubble.
An increasingly deranged government driven by dogma rather than realism.
Let them eat lentils and holiday in Rotterdam.
Meanwhile in the real world…
There are many aspects of the situation that they are not considering. The price of meat, airfare, and other products/services will increase as a result. Furthermore, people will just transfer in Paris or other countries. Understand that KLM is not alone in Skyteam. They have a joint venutre so people have other options too. I agree that the governments should push or enforce more fuel effecient technology and planes. It is possible that their policies...
There are many aspects of the situation that they are not considering. The price of meat, airfare, and other products/services will increase as a result. Furthermore, people will just transfer in Paris or other countries. Understand that KLM is not alone in Skyteam. They have a joint venutre so people have other options too. I agree that the governments should push or enforce more fuel effecient technology and planes. It is possible that their policies will reduce when people complain about related topics such as sticker shock.
Why are we still going to offices. Hint I haven't in 20 years but hear this term RTO.
Considering how key aviation is to trade and economic success, seems like making aviation sustainable rather than vilifying it would be the move...
There’s always sailboats.
If we’re going to revive the Dutch East India Company, may we please not do the forced labor at least? Pretty please??
Can use Ryanair tactics for the labor then?
Just have them all sign on consultancy contracts which eliminates most worker rights/assurances?
Unfortunately it's either this or the far right, that people want to vote for. So this wins, because despite some nonsense, it's still better than the far right.
All air travel in the world is about 2% of the pollution. Even if you banned 100% of the air travel you would still have 98% of the problem left...
Just asked Chat GPT for some calculations.
10,000 km per year commuting to work by car - 2 tonnes CO2.
One round trip Biz class ticket to SIN - 5 tonnes CO2.
Depressing.
Amsterdam is the Dutch capital? When did that happen?
ANSWER: since 1814.
Amsterdam is the capital. Den Haag is the seat of government. The two are not the same thing, under the Grondwet (constitution) even post 1983.
It has happened, well, depending on who you ask, either a long time ago or a very very long time ago.
Most recently in the constitution Amsterdam is specifically called the capital, whereas the Hague is the residence of government.
It's ok not to know, but would have been an easy thing to check on google/Wikipedia/AI of your choice before posting a sarcastic comment.
Perhaps Shell Oil not any longer Dutch?
Or maybe revenge for Shell supporting the opposite political side?
Shell plc is headquartered in London and its major shareholders are American and Norwegian, so basically it's listed on Euronext Amsterdam as a blend of courtesy and historical curiosity.
They want to ban air travel period. A world without air travel is not a world worth living in and I’d rather see the whole world turn into Venus before we ban planes. Aircraft aren’t even the major source of emissions we should be worrying about- cars and industrial activity are.
It’s these kind of extremist attitudes and actions that cause reactionary responses that make it harder to enact actual common sense green reforms...
They want to ban air travel period. A world without air travel is not a world worth living in and I’d rather see the whole world turn into Venus before we ban planes. Aircraft aren’t even the major source of emissions we should be worrying about- cars and industrial activity are.
It’s these kind of extremist attitudes and actions that cause reactionary responses that make it harder to enact actual common sense green reforms and especially in the largest most industry heavy nations like the US, Russia, China, Brazil and India.
The world can’t function on transit times that take weeks and months- reverting to the 1500s is NOT the solution.
To the person here saying air travel is worth sacrificing- no it’s not at all. Air Travel builds bonds between people , and provides necessary goods in reasonable time frames not ungodly long times.
I don’t see a world where we revert to an Amish lifestyle as one worth living- it’s hell.
You’re not going to get ANYONE in the major carbon producing nations to abandon air travel or stop eating meat.
We need to stop these unrealistic extremists so that they don’t alienate everyone from realistic, achievable methods of reducing carbon emissions and helping the environment
They want to ban commercial air trave. The elite will be able to fly into quiet uncluttered airports with special passports which will whisk them through immigration and security and the rest of us can watch documentaries.
Personally, I don't think we need more advertising, generally. If anything, by all means, promote and invest in alternatives, like high speed rail; however, for inter-continental travel, it's gonna be aviation, unless you want the 'slow boat to China' (literally, in some cases). Jet fuel is one of the technologies that we have not solved on the renewables front (and it may be a while). Probably should focus on de-carbonizing other energy needs, like vehicular...
Personally, I don't think we need more advertising, generally. If anything, by all means, promote and invest in alternatives, like high speed rail; however, for inter-continental travel, it's gonna be aviation, unless you want the 'slow boat to China' (literally, in some cases). Jet fuel is one of the technologies that we have not solved on the renewables front (and it may be a while). Probably should focus on de-carbonizing other energy needs, like vehicular transportation, eating and cooling homes, offices, industrial, etc. Or... ignore all that noise... and more culture wars!
The best and most obvious solution for low-carbon living is nuclear. Read "Energy is Life: Why Environmentalism Went Nuclear". So-called "renewables" are never going to provide energy abundance. Ask the Germans, they'll tell you.
Hi,
German here. You’re wrong.
Thx for asking.
So that's why Germany has had to start burning dirt lignite coal to meet demand, buys electricity from France, and is still heavily reliant on Russian gas, thus funding Putin's war against Ukraine?
Personally, I don't think we need more advertising, generally. If anything, by all means, promote and invest in alternatives, like high speed rail; however, for inter-continental travel, it's gonna be aviation, unless you want the 'slow boat to China' (literally, in some cases). Jet fuel is one of the technologies that we have not solved on the renewables front (and it may be a while). Probably should focus on de-carbonizing other energy needs, like vehicular...
Personally, I don't think we need more advertising, generally. If anything, by all means, promote and invest in alternatives, like high speed rail; however, for inter-continental travel, it's gonna be aviation, unless you want the 'slow boat to China' (literally, in some cases). Jet fuel is one of the technologies that we have not solved on the renewables front (and it may be a while). Probably should focus on de-carbonizing other energy needs, like vehicular transportation, eating and cooling homes, offices, industrial, etc. Or... ignore all that noise... and more culture wars!
Air travel is important, but the climate crisis is here, and we need to do something about it. Building new aircraft and new engines is very carbon intensive, so it is more or less the same for the environment whether we fly new planes or old planes, just better for the bottom line of the airline because of fuel costs. We can talk all day long about the potential economic impacts of this but the...
Air travel is important, but the climate crisis is here, and we need to do something about it. Building new aircraft and new engines is very carbon intensive, so it is more or less the same for the environment whether we fly new planes or old planes, just better for the bottom line of the airline because of fuel costs. We can talk all day long about the potential economic impacts of this but the reality is that very soon places will start flooding and other places will start burning and millions of people will be underwater or without water. And really, what’s the huge sacrifice? What’s wrong with taking the train for a holiday closer to home? 80% of people around the world have never flown on a plane, because they can’t afford to. We can afford to sacrifice a holiday or two to save the planet. That is just common sense.
Bore off you numpty. Go reduce your own carbon
Yep.
Basically Jakarta is screwed right now and there’s not a thing anybody’s doing about it. So nobody’s really talking about it either. They began moving Jakarta to southern Borneo, but ran out of money. So Jakarta just sits there flooding and sinking and flooding and sinking.
Amsterdam’s might not be the best idea, but at least they’re trying something, which the rest of the world (and especially the USA) is not.
@Bruce you yap on about air travel and aircraft construction being bad. But your profile pic is a plane?!?! Make it make sense.
Because I don't want to take a train holiday closer to home.
The human condition is selfish and you're a shining example of that
Aviation has become a huge target for environmentalists but it's very silly. Something like 2% of global fossil fuel emissions are planes.
Go after trucks and cars - they're WAY more damaging
However (roughly) only 10% of people get to travel by air in any given year. So 10% of people get to cause 2% (which is on the lower side of calculations) of global aviation emissions. Then the rest have to deal with it.
And really that number is way more skewed becuase of frequent flyers.
Ben—I don’t know how I feel about this either. That said, I think it’s a relevant detail that Amsterdam has fantastic rail connectivity to the rest of Europe. While that doesn’t help travelers headed overseas, I’m curious what percentage of flights out of AMS are to destinations where train travel is a (timely) option. Maybe that’s the answer—focus on limiting those routes. Maybe even subsidize them to make the option more appealing.
Not surprised by the pearl clutching here
Those sustainably-farmed pearls you clutching there?? /s
Amsterdam was somehow taken over by idiots a number of years ago. That mayor they got in did things like try to restrict weed and stuff. I guess they didnt like tourist money, so now they dont want ams to be a hub either.
This and other ridiculous virtue signaling nonsense are the marriage of terminally stupid self loathing do gooders, and a bunch of malevolent psychos masquerading as the former - together their goal is producing friction for normal people, and the latter group deriving utmost joy in the process
There is definitely a deeply ingrained misanthropy in environmentalism. Campaigns against GMO rice that could save children from blindness, protests against nuclear energy that could provide carbon-free electricity to billions. The scandalous way Greenpeace coerced the Sri Lankan government into banning to use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers in favour of "organic" methods which led to dramatic drop in domestic production, food shortages, increased prices, and required a country that had been a net exporter to...
There is definitely a deeply ingrained misanthropy in environmentalism. Campaigns against GMO rice that could save children from blindness, protests against nuclear energy that could provide carbon-free electricity to billions. The scandalous way Greenpeace coerced the Sri Lankan government into banning to use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers in favour of "organic" methods which led to dramatic drop in domestic production, food shortages, increased prices, and required a country that had been a net exporter to start importing rice. Environmentalists are not the good guys. A lot of them are absolutely fanatical to the point of cartoon supervillainy, and genuinely believe that if humans have to suffer or die for the environmental cause, that's too bad; and Greenpeace is the absolute worst of the worst.
they don't like tourist *behavior* (which I absolutely understand). that's why they cut back on the weed.
People visiting Amsterdam behave like idiots, and AMS wants fewer idiots. hard to argue against that.
I’m going to laugh so hard when their country is under Sharia law. Europe is toast.
What are you talking about. Idiot. You’re probably married to your sister.
He's obviously referring to the mass migration of Muslims into Europe
The irony of making an incest joke in response to the original comment is elite.
I lol'd!
Tell me you know nothing about Islamic "culture" without telling me you know nothing.
Simply ridiculous! Plain and simple…
BS all around!
Don’t worry understand why everyone here is so triggered by this. I’m happy not to be seeing airline ads. Won’t change my travel patterns.
People are triggered either due to pro or anti-government regulations
Everyone’s so on edge these days that they’ll find almost any news triggering.
You can walk around topless and eat magic mushroom truffles but ads for meat and planes are banned. Next time I travel to Amsterdam, I will respect their wishes and take one of the only options available to travel there crossing the Atlantic Ocean, i.e. I will either row across the Atlantic or take seven days in a massive ocean going ocean liner. Last I checked they get about 15 meters per gallon (odd mix...
You can walk around topless and eat magic mushroom truffles but ads for meat and planes are banned. Next time I travel to Amsterdam, I will respect their wishes and take one of the only options available to travel there crossing the Atlantic Ocean, i.e. I will either row across the Atlantic or take seven days in a massive ocean going ocean liner. Last I checked they get about 15 meters per gallon (odd mix of metric and other units). Roughly 250,000 gallons per crossing, or 140 gallons per passenger. Numbers might be a bit shaky.
Just sail like Greta Turdberg did years ago, and neglect to mention that the crew who sailed her to New York flew back to Europe in business class, and the crew who sailed her back to Europe flew to New York in business class. Like all Progressive environazis, Turdberg is a compete fraud.
You sound like a Trumper
Eco-Communism is alive and well in the woke-capital of Europe, Amsterdam.
lol can you cram more MAGA buzzwords into that comment, snowflake? Here, I’ll do it for ya:
Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate, even the Radical Left Lunatics of the OBAM-MUNIST Woke Capital of the failing EUROPEAN UNION who want to destroy air travel and force everyone to travel by solar boats with HUGE BATTERIES! These boats, the batteries are so heavy they will start to sink in The Middle of the Atlantic Ocean,...
lol can you cram more MAGA buzzwords into that comment, snowflake? Here, I’ll do it for ya:
Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate, even the Radical Left Lunatics of the OBAM-MUNIST Woke Capital of the failing EUROPEAN UNION who want to destroy air travel and force everyone to travel by solar boats with HUGE BATTERIES! These boats, the batteries are so heavy they will start to sink in The Middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and then Sharks will SWARM the Boats and the People on them will have to Decide between Death By Electrocution or Death By Shark!!! THE GENDER INSANITY OF EUROPE MUST BE STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Ignorance besides, I'd consider Berlin as the ''woke'' capital of Europe.
Just tax the rich. That is far easier policy to understand and benefits the maximum number of people. Mamdani for President 2028.
I'd selfishly prefer he remain our mayor in NYC, because he's doing a great job here already!
Yes. He hates Jews, just like Ben. So he is doing a great job alienating Jews and making sure antisemitism is culturally acceptable.
Ben should move to NYC to be with his fellow Jew haters.
Simon… did not say… *facepalm*
I think he’s doing a great job, too for
Miami. Ken Griffin & more money keeps moving to Florida to support our economy.
1990, I always pictured you as living in the high 70s upper west side, but was planning on moving to Scarsdale for retirement. I guess you want to stay for the time being to experience the city owned supermarkets and the warmth of collectivism. When all the rich people and companies leave, welcome to the 1970s. You'll be riding the graffiti filled 1 train and will wonder "what went wrong?" You'll still make that Broadway...
1990, I always pictured you as living in the high 70s upper west side, but was planning on moving to Scarsdale for retirement. I guess you want to stay for the time being to experience the city owned supermarkets and the warmth of collectivism. When all the rich people and companies leave, welcome to the 1970s. You'll be riding the graffiti filled 1 train and will wonder "what went wrong?" You'll still make that Broadway play though, and will take a car service to JFK for your next J class flight.
Why not tax the middle class too? Socialism needs money from all sources
Mamdani was born abroad and therefore not eligible for the presidency. Thank God.
Oh yeah, it's much better for us to keep the grifter in chief, Huh?
Smh. Brainless people I swear.
Liberals are making it important to live on this planet.
Enjoy Mars, Elon.
With this logic we should ban any advertisements relating to having children. The worst environmental decision a human can make is to breed and create resource suckers that last for 85+ years
To be fair they have done some great things in Amsterdam, like providing the infrastructure so that people can bike around as a means of transportation.
But this just seems like they are out of ideas. They tried restricting air traffic to AMS a few years ago. Got smacked on the face by countries like US. Now this.
Steve. I am glad that you are glad that Ben gets the logic. There is no logic. It is stupid. Do not advertise air travel or meat. Fix global warming. I have a better idea. Do not advertise suicide hotlines to get rid of suicide.
Keep Yourself Safe?
Typical brainwashed greenwashing.
Classic astroturfed outraging.
Ben, I'm glad you 'get' the logic.
That's what jumped out at me too, but he's just trying to avoid the wrath and condemnation (or worse) of his green liberal bubble. Classic example of pay attention to my meaningless words, not to my actual lifestyle.
Can’t wait to ride their trans-Atlantic train.
Wait…they don’t have one?
Actually, Donald is doing a great job reducing transatlantic travel. Much more than an ad ban and shaming tactics will ever achieve.
"Transatlantic air travel has shown signs of decline since Trump took office in 2025. Specifically, the number of Western European visitors to the United States fell by 17% in March 2025, with some countries like Ireland, Norway, and Germany experiencing declines of over 20%."
LMAO. No. Trans-atlantic air travel remains quite healthy. Then only way to get that 17% drop is by comparing March 2025 (no Easter) to March 2024 (Easter). April 2025 was up significantly over April 2024, since Easter was in...April. And is a major travel window for Europeans (and Latin Americans).
Notice how you can't reference any other points in time to create your little fan fiction.
Stop getting your info from FOX News and Info Wars. Trump has caused some bigly harm to the US Economy, not just tariffs but tourism from Europe and Canada.
Tree-hugging morons.
No stroopwaffle for you!
They're bad for your waistline and bad for your teeth!
"Well, I was going to have a chicken kebab for dinner and then plan our honeymoon in Hawaii, but all of a sudden, I can't remember what chicken looks like or what an airplane is. I guess I'll stay home and have carob instead!"
Another bit of nonsense from political hacks who have to pretend they're contributing something.