The law is our tool of choice. Advocacy is what we do.



Advocates for the Future is a legal NGO that harnesses the power of the law to advocate for people and planet. Our mission is to advocate for the Future - for our own Future, our children's Future, and for the Future of generations to come.


Learn more about us →


We're taking action against the biggest port of Europe

Ports are hubs in the global transportation chains for fossil fuels. They facilitate essential infrastructure for the fossil industry, such as bunker facilities, refineries, storage and transshipment terminals, pipelines for

transportation, power plants, petrochemical industries, etc. 


To meet the Paris goals, port authorities need to develop a concrete and unambiguous pathway to net-zero emissions. That's why we've started a campaign against the Port of Rotterdam Authority, which is responsible for the largest port in Europe: the port of Rotterdam.


Read more →


   We're calling upon the Rotterdam Port
Authority to come-up with a robust
climate plan

 

A letter for the future of the Dutch industry

Together with a group of prominent Dutch economists we sent a letter to the Dutch government. The letter calls upon the Dutch government not to provide generic financial aid to the Dutch industry, but come up with a vision for the future of the Dutch industry. 


Read more here →

Major victory: Dutch court upholds world's first fossil ad ban

In a landmark judgment, the district court of The Hague upheld the fossil ad ban adopted by the municipality of The Hague, rejecting a challenge brought by travel companies. The judgment confirms that government bodies have significant leeway to enact regulations that contribute towards goals of public health and climate mitigation, also where those regulations may affect the commercial operations of certain businesses.


Read further →


Maikel van Wissen in Trouw

Advocates for the Future's founder, Maikel van Wissen, was interviewed by Dutch newspaper Trouw about our campaign against the Port of Rotterdam Authority.


Read the story →

Legal win: Dutch Advertising Board rules that there is no such thing as “green” cruises

A life-size hashtag #SaveTheSea on the side of their cruise ship and claims that liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the "cleanest" fuel. We filed a legal complaint against MSC Cruises in relation to these greenwashing claims in its "For a greater beauty"-campaign, which was rolled-out in more than 30 countries. 


The Dutch Advertising Board agreed with us and ruled that MSC Cruises misled customers about the (negative) climate impact of cruising. 


For more information, read here →


Euronews: Landmark ruling should encourage more cities to ban fossil fuel ads, campaigners urge

A ban on fossil fuel adverts in The Hague has been upheld by a Dutch court, in an “historic ruling” that campaigners hope will embolden other cities to take action. In a decision last September, The Hague became the first city in the world to write into law a ban on ads that promote fossil fuels, including petrol cars, air travel and cruise ships.  Read the full story →

Financieele Dagblad: Economists push back: don't heed industrial cry for help

A dozen economists have publicly taken a stand against a recent plea by the chemical industry for rapid government support. The economists, including well-known names such as Barbara Baarsma and ‘green’ leaders such as Rens van Tilburg and Hans Stegeman, warn against hasty decisions by politicians in The Hague: ‘The Netherlands would be wise (…) to resist these calls and first make fundamental choices for the future.’ Read the full story →

RTL Nieuws: 'Rotterdam port emissions 3.5 times higher than the Netherlands as a whole'

The greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel activities in the port of Rotterdam are 3.5 times greater than the total emissions of the Netherlands. This is evident from research by CE Delft, commissioned by Advocates for the Future and Friends of XR. Read the full story →

de Volkskrant: Legal NGO launches offense against Rotterdam port, ‘worse than Schiphol and Tata’

Advocates for the Future demands that the Port of Rotterdam reduce emissions from fossil activities. According to the legal NGO, the port is a much bigger polluter than the big emitters Schiphol and Tata. Read the full story →

Reuters: Dutch advertising board finds against MSC Cruise in greenwashing complaint

Sustainability claims by MSC Cruise, including that it targets "net zero by 2050" do not meet standards, the Dutch advertising board found on Wednesday in one of the first decisions against a cruise operator following a greenwashing complaint. Read the full story →