TotalPollution: A Dirty Game has been featured in Forbes' article: Rugby World Cup 2023: How Environmentally Sustainable Will It Be?'.
An excerpt from the article:
In recent days, however, the Rugby World Cup’s climate credibility has taken a hit. Greenpeace exposed a major blemish by calling out the Rugby World Cup 2023 organizing committee for accepting endorsements from fossil fuel companies, most notably from official sponsor Total Energies. In a video released by Greenpeace, as the opening match of the World Cup is about to begin, oil pours down from the Total Energies signs around the Stade France, engulfing it in oil, ruining the match and drowning the spectators. The video is a poignant reminder of the effects of fossil fuels, and shows fans how fossil fuel companies benefit from attaching themselves to valuable sporting events.
The sponsorship faux pas is part of a larger issue in the sports sector which has been inundated with oil, gas and airline sponsorships over the past two decades. That notwithstanding, this Rugby World Cup does promise some improvement on the sustainability front. First and foremost the tournament is relying on existing infrastructure, thereby cutting potential building emissions. It also has a strong waste management system in place and is pushing host cities to offer three to four times more public transportation options than on average. The tournament will also prioritize a variety of eco-friendly mobility options including walking, cycling and a car sharing platform. Still, it must be noted the car sharing platform is sponsored by Total Energies.
The full article can be read here.
Written by: Vitas Carosella