Shell accused of 'greenwashing its dangerous actions' following partnership with British Biking

Muricas News  — 

British Biking is dealing with criticism from environmental marketing campaign teams after signing a long-term partnership cope with Shell.

The partnership, which was introduced on Monday and runs till the top of 2030, will assist by “accelerating British Biking’s path to internet zero,” in keeping with a press launch from the governing physique.

However environmental teams have condemned the transfer as an try by Shell to “greenwash its dangerous actions.”

“The thought of Shell serving to British Biking attain internet zero is as absurd as beef farmers advising lettuce farmers on how one can go vegan,” stated Greenpeace UK coverage director Doug Parr.

Shell has been accused of failing to adequately put together for the worldwide shift to a low-carbon economic system, and final month, a report from an vitality and local weather think-tank discovered that the quantity of climate-positive messaging utilized by main oil and gasoline firms, together with Shell, is inconsistent with their spending on low-carbon actions.

Responding to the report, Shell stated it plans to spend 12% of its capital bills on renewable vitality this yr, up from 10% in 2021.

“Biking is the epitome of environmentally pleasant journey,” stated an announcement from Associates of the Earth.

“It’s deeply disappointing that [British] Biking might assume it’s acceptable to associate with a fossil gasoline large. Shell is continuous to speculate billions in oil and gasoline tasks, whereas utilizing cynical PR initiatives like this partnership to aim to greenwash its dangerous actions.

“Tobacco companies are rightly banned from sports activities sponsorship as a result of damaging well being results. The identical ought to apply to grease and gasoline firms that are devastating the well being of our planet. Shell ought to have been advised to get on its bike.”

Amid widespread criticism to the partnership announcement on social media, former British bicycle owner Callum Skinner stated he’s “glad I don’t should pedal their messaging anymore.”

British Biking oversees all types of biking – from newbie to elite – in Britain.

In addition to driving success at Olympic and main championship occasions, it is usually tasked with encouraging extra individuals to take up the game and has 166,000 members, in keeping with the British Biking web site.

The group says Shell will assist the governing physique’s transition to an electrical automobile fleet and assist to make biking extra accessible.

“We’re trying ahead to working alongside Shell UK over the remainder of this decade to widen entry to the game, assist our elite riders and assist our organisation and sport take essential steps in direction of internet zero – issues we all know our members are extremely captivated with,” stated Brian Facer, the CEO of British Biking.

“Inside our new industrial programme, this partnership with Shell UK brings highly effective assist for biking, will assist us to enhance and can make extra individuals contemplate biking and cyclists.”

Muricas News has contacted Shell relating to criticism of the partnership.