In western Sweden, a political majority has decided that advertising for petrol and diesel cars on public transport should be prohibited.
A majority in western Sweden has introduced a ban on advertising for petrol and diesel cars on public transport.
The ban, which will come into effect in 2025, includes all forms of advertising of fossil fuels on buses, trains and at bus stops.
The Västra Götaland region, which is behind the initiative, wants to promote sustainable transport and limit the use of fossil fuels.
"We in the Rödgrön leadership want everyone to travel sustainably, and our public transport is currently 98 percent fossil-free," says Louise Jeppsson, chair of the infrastructure and public transport committee for Västra Götaland.
The ban on fossil fuel advertising is part of a larger strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
– A change to Västtrafik's advertising rules is part of RödGrön Ledning's budget for 2025, and we are pleased that a ban on fossil fuel advertising is now becoming a reality, says Louise Jeppsson.
In addition to petrol and diesel cars, the ban also includes advertising for air travel and other products powered by fossil fuels. Advertising for tobacco, alcohol and nicotine has long been banned on public transport.
– We want to increase sustainable travel and are very proud that almost all of our own traffic is fossil-free today, says Per Tenggren, deputy chairman of the committee.
– Unfortunately, emissions in Sweden are currently increasing as a result of national climate policy. Therefore, Västtrafik should of course not allow fossil fuel advertising while we work to reduce emissions."
The ban applies to all approximately 650 stops and all public transport in the region, which covers an area of over 1.6 million inhabitants.
– Public transport contributes to achieving the region's ambitious climate goals, says Jonas Blomster from the Environmental Party.
"Therefore, it is reasonable that public transport should not be a platform for marketing products that harm our planet. We are serious about our climate policy, it makes a difference who is in charge."
With this initiative, Västra Götaland joins a growing group of cities and regions that ban advertising for fossil fuels.
The Dutch capital, The Hague, was the first city in the world to introduce such a ban. Read more about it here .
