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By Mihar Dias Copyright (C) September 2023
Major sporting events have always held a unique power to unite people around the world through the thrill of competition and shared passion.
They celebrate teamwork, discipline, and respect - values that resonate deeply with fans across the globe. However, as Greenpeace's latest campaign highlights, this unity can be marred by the sponsorship of companies that contribute significantly to climate destruction.
The campaign's focus on TotalEnergies' sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup serves as a stark reminder that even as we celebrate sporting excellence, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the environmental damage caused by fossil fuel companies.
The imagery of oil flooding the Stade De France, where the tournament's first match is set to take place, sends a clear message: it's time to kick fossil fuel advertising out of major sporting events.
While TotalEnergies' chairman and CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, claims that rugby's values align with the company's commitment to the energy transition, the reality remains that fossil fuel companies, including TotalEnergies, continue to profit from activities that exacerbate climate change.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate environmental damage, these sponsorships risk perpetuating a dangerous narrative of "sportswashing" - a practice that attempts to divert attention from the real impacts of their products.
Greenpeace's call for a complete ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship in major sporting events is not a plea for the removal of private sector involvement. Rather, it's a plea for responsible sponsorship that aligns with the imperative to protect our planet.
Companies should not use these events as opportunities to distract from their contributions to climate destruction but rather to showcase their commitment to sustainable practices and technologies.
The argument against fossil fuel sponsorship in sports goes beyond symbolism.
According to Greenpeace's figures, the global fossil fuel industry extracts enough oil to fill a stadium like the Stade De France every three hours and 37 minutes - a stark reminder of the scale of extraction and consumption that perpetuates the climate crisis.
The recent example of Scottish Rugby's partnership with Scottish Gas, despite its claims of transitioning to renewables, serves as a cautionary tale. Critics rightly point out that the parent company, Centrica, has yet to make substantial progress in moving away from fossil fuels and has even reported record profits despite rising energy bills for households. This reinforces the scepticism around fossil fuel companies' genuine commitment to sustainability.
The issue extends beyond rugby, as the recent Women's World Cup and FIFA's alleged "paying lip service to sustainability" demonstrated.
These events should be platforms to inspire positive change, but when they're associated with high carbon footprints and excessive air travel, the dissonance between intention and impact becomes evident.
It's time for a paradigm shift in sports sponsorship. Major events should be showcases of innovation, commitment to sustainability, and the power of collective action.
The world is watching, and as Greenpeace aptly points out, the message sent by these sponsorships extends beyond the stadiums - it reflects the choices we make as a society and our willingness to prioritize the well-being of the planet over short-term profits.
As we celebrate the remarkable feats of athletes on the global stage, let's also celebrate the potential for positive change.
Let's demand a future where sports and sustainability go hand in hand, unmarred by the shadows of climate-destructive industries.
It's time to break free from fossil fuel sponsorship and ensure that our passion for sports aligns with our commitment to safeguarding the planet for generations to come.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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