Friends of the Earth calls for ban on fossil fuel sponsorship as Texaco Art winners announced

The environmental campaigning NGO calls for children’s art to be supported while kicking out fossil fuel greenwashing

Friends of the Earth has called on the government to support legislation to ban fossil fuel sponsorship and greenwashing in Ireland. The call comes as the Texaco Children's Art competition winner has been announced, today 17th April.

 

David Rossiter, Gas Campaigner at Friends of the Earth stated:

"We need children's art to be supported without the malign influence of fossil fuel companies. Texaco, a major distributor of home heating oil and other fossil fuel products, has strategically used the Children's Art Competition for years to divert attention from its role in climate destruction. Texaco is trying to present itself as a provider of 'wonderful childhood experiences,' but conveniently ignores the fact that its climate-changing pollution threatens children’s futures around the world.

"Valero Energy, Texaco's parent company, has an atrocious track record of environmental negligence and unethical practices. Valero was a staunch supporter of the notorious Keystone tar sands pipeline from Canada to the US, which threatened to run roughshod over climate action and indigenous rights. Valero has also been implicated in obstructing climate action and suppressing protests against fossil fuel infrastructure. Valero's operations reflect a blatant disregard for public health and environmental protection."

 

Jerry Mac Evilly, Head of Policy at Friends of the Earth, added, 

"Children deserve better. Texaco's association with the Children's Art Competition is a prime example of fossil fuel greenwashing. By masking their harmful practices and latching themselves onto children’s art, Texaco is looking to deflect from the reality that it is fossil-fuelled climate chaos that Texaco and others are leaving for future generations.

"Friends of the Earth is calling on the government to support legislation to combat fossil fuel greenwashing and sponsorship effectively. Regulations must be put in place to prevent such sponsorship and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for misleading environmental claims. Government should engage constructively with opposition parties which have introduced legislation to end this fossil fuel sponsorship and greenwashing.”