Woodside Energy CEO Meg O’Neill won’t commit to sponsorship beyond 2023
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill. Louie Douvis
“Our relationship is beyond the on-field sponsorship that you see on the jerseys week in, week out. We work very closely together on a number of areas where we have shared values.
“So things like the Indigenous program, we’ve been their partner, we’ve supported them in development of their RAP [Reconciliation Action Plan], for example. So we’re very proud to be part of the diverse communities where we live and work.”
Ms O’Neill would not comment directly on the open letter. She also would not commit to the company sponsoring the team beyond the current agreement.
“We haven’t made any decision. So we’ll cross that bridge and we’ll announce to market when we have something to say,” she said.
The CEO also pointed to unspecified social media posts that she said showed “many Dockers fans and members are very proud that Woodside is one of the principal sponsors”.
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Since recommitting to the Dockers in October last year, Woodside has merged with BHP’s oil and gas assets to become one of the 10 biggest independent energy companies in the world by production.
According to the Clean Energy Regulator, Woodside’s production of 9.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gases made the company the ninth-highest emitter in Australia for the 2020-21 financial year.
The company is developing Project Scarborough, which non-profit organisation Climate Analytics says undermines Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.
‘Threatening to planet’
Other high-profile signatories to the letter include author Tim Winton, Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist Bill Hare and former Woodside climate change adviser Alex Hillman.
“We should not allow our club’s good name to be used by a corporation to enhance its reputation when its core activities are so clearly threatening our planet,” the letter states.
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“Climate change is already creating catastrophic and deadly conditions for communities here and overseas, alongside massive harm to natural systems that support our economy and wellbeing.
“Despite claims it is trying to decarbonise, Woodside has doubled down on fossil fuels in the last year, purchasing BHP’s oil and gas assets and becoming one of the top 10 largest fossil fuel companies in the world.
Alex Hillman, Dale Kickett, Carmen Lawrence, Gerard McNeill, Gillian O’Shaughnessy and Bill Hare.
“As members and supporters, we are speaking out because we don’t think it is fair for these young men and women to run out with a fossil fuel company’s logo plastered on their jumpers any longer.
“We should not allow our club’s good name to be used by a corporation to enhance its reputation when its core activities are so clearly threatening our planet.”
The group’s letter comes as major sponsor Alinta Energy opts not to renew its contract with Cricket Australia. That decision came before the Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins urged CA to align itself with sustainable sponsors.
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Elsewhere, Netball Australia will honour its multimillion-dollar contract with mining company Hancock Prospecting despite concerns from Indigenous squad member Donnell Wallam.
With AAP
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