Sports

New Zealand Rugby deal with petrochemical firm slammed by environmentalists

Sydney, Australia, Jul 28 (EFE).- New Zealand Rugby on Wednesday announced a six-year sponsorship deal with petrochemical conglomerate Ineos, despite protest from environmental groups such as Greenpeace.

From 2022, the Ineos logo will appear on the uniforms of the All Blacks and six other national rugby teams, governing body New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said in a statement.

“Ineos will bring an innovative approach and dedication to the partnership with our Teams in Black, qualities we see across all aspects of their business, particularly around sustainability with their commitment to deliver a zero-carbon emission future in line with the Paris Agreement,” said NZR CEO Mark Robinson.

The deal, the worth of which has not been disclosed, was rejected by environmental groups and seen as giving the British multinational a “facelift” through sport.

“In the thick of the climate crisis, it’s gutting to see NZ Rugby sign a sponsorship deal with an oil and gas polluting conglomerate like Ineos that is responsible for driving us deeper into the climate crisis, and fouling the oceans with plastic pollution,” Greenpeace campaigner Juressa Lee said in a statement.

In recent weeks, more than 13,000 people signed a campaign promoted by Greenpeace to demand that NZR not partner with Ineos

“Many of our rugby players are of Maori and Pacific descent, and come from communities which are on the frontline of sea level rise and extreme storm events, and they shouldn’t be expected to wear the brand of a climate polluter like Ineos,” Lee said, adding that “most New Zealanders will be very disappointed.” EFE

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