British Cycling slammed by eco-campaigners after agreeing eight-year ‘greenwashing’ partnership with oil giant Shell

BRITISH CYCLING have been slammed by Greenpeace for agreeing sponsorship terms with oil and gas firm Shell UK.

The sports governing body has signed an eight-year partnership with the energy giants until 2030.

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Shell UK have agreed a long-term partnership with British CyclingCredit: Reuters

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British Cycling has seen plenty of success in recent years, Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny winning gold in the 2020 OlympicsCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times

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Team GB took silver in the Men’s Team Sprint at the Toyko 2020 gamesCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times

British Cycling say the controversial deal will “support” Great Britain’s cyclists and para-cyclists, share “world-class innovation and expertise” and accelerate their “path to net zero”.

Shell UK claim the agreement will encourage “low and zero-carbon forms of transport such as cycling and electric vehicles.”

Yet cycling bosses have been accused by environmental activists of allowing Shell UK to greenwash its brand and abundant use of fossil fuels at a time when Climate Change is high on the global agenda.

Greenpeace UK policy director Dr Doug Parr told SunSport: “The idea of Shell helping British Cycling reach net zero is as absurd as beef farmers advising lettuce farmers on how to go vegan.

“After being booted out of museums and other cultural institutions, Big Oil are looking at sports as the next frontier for their brazen greenwash.

“But their aim hasn’t changed – to distract from the inconvenient fact that the fossil fuel industry is making our planet uninhabitable.

“British Cycling missed an opportunity to tell the oil giant the one thing they needed to hear – On your bike, Shell.”

There is, of course, the great irony of cycling being used in such a manner given that it is one of the greenest methods of transportation around.

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Brian Facer, CEO of British Cycling, said: “We’re looking forward to working alongside Shell UK over the rest of this decade.

“To widen access to the sport, support our elite riders and help our organisation and sport take important steps towards net zero – things we know our members are incredibly passionate about.”

Ineos, the leading chemical and plastics company, have run a cycling outfit since 2019.

When Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s business took over the running of Team Sky, campaigners blasted the takeover, calling them a “planet-wrecking company.”

Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Jamie Peters said: “Cycling is the epitome of environmentally friendly travel. 

“It’s deeply disappointing that British Cycling could think it’s appropriate to partner with a fossil fuel giant. 

“Shell UK is continuing to invest billions in oil and gas projects, while using cynical PR initiatives like this partnership to attempt to greenwash its harmful activities.

“Tobacco firms are rightly banned from sports sponsorship due to the damaging health effects. The same should apply to oil and gas companies which are devastating the health of our planet.”