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Climate crusader Pat Cummins drives one of the world’s most polluting vehicles and has been pictured flying first class, but he still objects to Cricket Australia striking a sponsorship deal with one of the country’s biggest greenhouse gas polluters.
Cummins was reportedly concerned that Alinta’s parent company Pioneer Sail Holdings is one of the country’s biggest carbon emitters and shared his ‘ethical concerns’ with the Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley, whom he speaks to ‘quite a bit.’
‘More so than ever before you’re seeing players’ personalities and interests and passions shine through and have a bit more of a say than maybe in the past,’ Cummins told Nine Newspapers on Tuesday.
Alinta received a dismal 2 out of 5 stars in this year’s Green Electricity Guide, due to their plan to burn coal to 2047, the local environmental harm they cause and their ranking as Australia’s 7th biggest polluter.Â
Test captain Pat Cummins (pictured with partner Becky Boston) went into bat against Cricket Australia’s biggest sponsor
‘I think the most obvious, front-of-mind things you can see is who we partner with. So I hope that when we think of who we want to align with, who we want to invite into being part of cricket, I hope climate is a real priority.
‘I’ve got my own personal views so when it comes to personal sponsorships there are some companies I wouldn’t want to align with. When we’re getting money, whether it’s programs for junior cricket, grassroots, things for fans around Australia, I feel a real responsibility that with that, we’re doing on balance what is the right thing.’
That’s despite Cummins uploading a picture of himself in the past enjoying the perks of first-class travel. A World Bank study recently revealed the carbon footprint of first-class air passengers is up to seven times bigger than those in economy.
Cummins has also been photographed driving a Range Rover, regarded as among the most carbon-polluting SUVs.
Cummins’ comments have sparked massive outrage and come after the Australian Diamonds netballers recently refused to wear a team uniform emblazoned with the logo of mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s company – Hancock Prospecting.
2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham weighed into the saga, saying sport and politics don’t mix.
He suggested Cummins stick to being a world-class bowler instead of telling Cricket Australia’s marketing department how to do its job.
‘The idea that the national captain is personally lobbying for his boss to cancel a $40 million sponsorship deal is just absolutely crazy,’ Fordham told listeners.
‘It’s a power company- not an outlaw bikie gang!’
Fordham doesn’t suggest sports stars maintain a vow of silence, but they need to be careful what ground they campaign on.
‘No industry is immune from criticism,’ he ended his rant.
‘Banks, insurance, mining companies, fast food, soft drink, alcohol, gambling, media companies.
‘If you put a line through all of them… there will be no sponsors left!’
Pat Cummins has previously been pictured enjoying the perks of flying first class. He’s pictured testing the business class beds in a Qantas A380
One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham pointed Cummins featured in an Alinta Energy TV advertising campaign for their call centres, where he answered a phone call while doing yoga.Â
‘Wasn’t Pat Cummins in the Alinta Energy advertising campaign?’ he captioned the ad.
Other critics, including Fordham also pointed out that Alinta Energy put its reputation on the line when the company signed on as Cricket Australia’s principal partner in 2018.
Australian cricket was in one of its darkest periods at the time in the wake of the ball-tampering saga in South Africa.
Pat Cummins (pictured in December 2021) has been photographed driving a Land Rover, regarded as one of the world’s most carbon polluting SUVs
‘I think the most obvious, front-of-mind things you can see is who we partner with. So I hope that when we think of who we want to align with, who we want to invite into being part of cricket, I hope climate is a real priority.
‘I’ve got my own personal views so when it comes to personal sponsorships there are some companies I wouldn’t want to align with. When we’re getting money, whether it’s programs for junior cricket, grassroots, things for fans around Australia, I feel a real responsibility that with that, we’re doing on balance what is the right thing.’
That’s despite Cummins uploading a picture of himself in the past enjoying the perks of first-class travel. A World Bank study recently revealed the carbon footprint of first-class air passengers is up to seven times bigger than those in the economy.
Cummins has also been photographed driving a Range Rover, regarded as among the most carbon-polluting SUVs.
Cummins’ comments have sparked massive outrage and come after the Australian Diamonds netballers recently refused to wear a team uniform emblazoned with the logo of mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s company – Hancock Prospecting.
Radio 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham weighed into the saga, saying sport and politics don’t mix.
He suggested Cummins stick to being a world-class bowler instead of telling Cricket Australia’s marketing department how to do its job.
‘The idea that the national captain is personally lobbying for his boss to cancel a $40 million sponsorship deal is just absolutely crazy,’ Fordham told listeners.
‘It’s a power company- not an outlaw bikie gang!’
Fordham doesn’t suggest sports stars maintain a vow of silence, but they need to be careful what ground they campaign on.
‘No industry is immune from criticism,’ he ended his rant.
‘Banks, insurance, mining companies, fast food, soft drink, alcohol, gambling, media companies.
‘If you put a line through all of them… there will be no sponsors left!’
Pat Cummins told Cricket Australia Alinta Energy doesn’t align with his personal views
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