Climate Council reveals code to eliminate fossil fuel sponsorships from the arts and sport

May 31, 2023

The Climate Council has today released a voluntary code for use by sporting codes and arts bodies wishing to eliminate fossil fuel sponsorship on uniforms, in stadiums and at events.

The new Code, Calling time: how to remove fossil fuel sponsorships from sports, arts and events, includes information on the dangers of climate change effects on events, and now to identify greenwashing.

It also offers a guide to reassessing sponsorships and aligning them with community, stakeholder, and fan expectations.

Campaigning for a halt to fossil fuel sponsorships in Australian sports, arts, and events, the Climate Council notes that that the urgency to act is shown by the flooding and extreme heat that has already disrupted music festivals, concerts, and cricket games.

Introducing the objectives of the report, the Climate Council advise “it’s time to call time on fossil fuel sponsorships in Australia (as) driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, (climate change) is putting the sports, arts and events we love at risk.

“Even in the midst of the climate crisis, giant fossil fuel companies like Woodside, Santos, Chevron and Glencore are greenwashing their image by sponsoring hundreds of Australian teams, arts institutions and community events.

“No amount of cheerful corporate branding can cover up the fact that these companies are fuelling harmful climate change, and as the climate crisis worsens around us, it’s time for major sporting codes, arts bodies and event organisers to ‘#CallTime’, and end fossil fuel sponsorships for good.”

Professor of Human Performance at Edith Cowan University, and code co-author, Sophia Nimphius advised “climate change is already affecting our daily lives and threating our enjoyment and participation in sports, arts, and events.

“Leaders and organisers can lead the way by removing fossil fuel company sponsorship and taking a stand to show how serious we are about the health and future of our communities.

“In collaboration with the Climate Council, we’ve produced actionable guidelines to empower organisations to seek new sponsors that align with their values and our shared vision for a sustainable future, effectively severing their ties with fossil fuel company sponsorships.”

Given the damage already being done to Australia’s arts and sporting cultures, Dr Jennifer Rayner, Climate Council Head of Advocacy, believes “it is absurd” that fossil fuel companies are still allowed to sponsor them.

Dr Rayner notes “we’ve designed a framework to help CEOs and Boards of these organisations do some deep thinking about whether their values as a club are aligned with fossil fuels,” she said.

If they choose to sign the pledge, they’ll be sending a signal to their many members, fans and the Australian community that they are serious about confronting climate change.”

The Code includes:

Information and evidence about how climate change is upending Australian sports, arts and public events.
An explanation of fossil fuel greenwashing and how these major multinational corporations use our favourite teams and events to buy social licence.
A step-by-step guide to assessing current sponsorships and achieving alignment with community, stakeholder and fan expectations of your organisation.

Click here to view the full code.

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