Greenpeace urges NZ Rugby to say ‘no’ to Ineos

Environmental group Greenpeace has launched a petition in an attempt to convince NZ Rugby to ditch a potential sponsorship deal with Ineos.

NZ Rugby is understood to have been in negotiations with Ineos, a UK-based petroleum business, to sponsor rugby teams such as the All Blacks and Black Ferns but Greenpeace believes it shouldn’t do business with a company that it says contributes to global warming.

Greenpeace yesterday issued a press release urging NZ Rugby to steer clear of the company which is majority owned by billionaire chief executive James Ratcliffe.

Greenpeace senior campaigner Steve Abel said he doesn’t want NZ Rugby to ‘‘sell our soul to an English oil corporate’’.

‘‘This is exactly the sort of social license that oil and plastic polluters need to keep operating – we should never be sucked into selling them our good name,’’ Abel said.

Abel also said ‘‘climate change is the existential threat of this generation’’. It’s understood NZ Rugby needs the approval of the NZ Rugby Players’ Association and existing sponsor adidas before the deal can be signed and sealed.

Greenpeace senior campaigner do a deal with US equity giant Silver Lake, is aware it must be careful about balancing the need to fund the game without sacrificing its ‘‘brand values’’.

NZ Rugby posted a $34 million loss for 2020, a result largely due to Covid-19 interrupting its ability to provide broadcasters and commercial partners with games. In 2019 NZ Rugby posted a $7.4 million loss.

Following the Paris Climate Agreement of 2105, Ineos stated it was committed to positive change.

It states on its website that its businesses have put in place ‘‘the plans and actions needed to ensure that they lead the transition to a net zero economy by no later than 2050, while remaining profitable and staying ahead of evolving regulations and legislation’’.

Ineos also states on its website that its products already make an indispensable contribution to society by providing the most sustainable options for a wide range of societal needs.

Greenpeace called on New Zealand rugby players to ‘‘use their power’’ to halt any potential deal with Ineos.

‘‘We hope that the New Zealand public and All Blacks and rugby players both present and past will stand and tell NZ Rugby no, you must not stain the silver fern in oil,’’ Abel said.

‘‘...you must not stain the silver fern in oil.’’ Steve Abel