Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The comparison matters because high-carbon sponsors are typically protected by the same "we can't afford it" argument. This means that - despite the harm they cause - fossil fuel companies, airlines, and unsustainable car companies get off the hook. 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 24/07/2026This is no accident. Just as tobacco companies once used sport to make cigarettes seem aspirational, fossil fuel companies are using football's biggest stage to normalise the industry driving the climate crisis. Aramco reportedly pays around $100 million a year to sponsor FIFA. 4/6 124
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 24/07/2026To top off the tournament's sportswashing, Spain's Pau Cubarsí received the Young Player Award from Aramco chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. 💰💨 In Cubarsí's nation, over 1,000 have people died in recent heatwaves, and 13 people were killed in wildfires just days before the final. 3/6 134
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 24/07/2026FIFA has stated that it takes climate breakdown seriously. 🤥 Yet throughout the World Cup, billions of viewers watched Aramco - the world's largest oil company - promoted across stadiums, broadcasts and the Young Player Award. 2/6 143
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 16/07/2026In the aftermath of the disaster, coaches became first responders. By becoming an integral part of the community, they were able to direct assistance to those that needed it most. This is the kind of trust that is build over years. 2/6 110
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 11/06/2026It’s day one of the 2026 World Cup. ⚽️ And FIFA and Aramco remain committed to polluting the beautiful game. 💨 Watch our short film “Love Football, Hate Pollution” to hear from fans about their earliest memories of football against a backdrop of climate inaction from FIFA.👇 042
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 08/06/2026📢 This morning, Cool Down's Freddie Daley spoke to the BBC about the World Cup's climate impact. 🏆💨 With an additional 40 matches spread across three countries and an oil company sponsor - it will be the most polluting on record. Report and more: www.cooldownclimate.org/latest/world... 083
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 24/05/2026While security concerns mount outside the stadium bubble, inside Estadio BBVA, (affectionately known as the Steel Giant) fans and players are at risk of extreme heat stress from the lack of sufficient cooling measures. 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 23/05/2026Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium sits in a vulnerable space - with oppressive temperatures and sudden storm surges being a real possibility during the summer months. 110
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 22/05/2026Kansas City experiences an average of nearly 28 days annually where maximum temperatures exceed 35°C. The Kansas City Stadium, also known as Arrowhead Stadium, relies on state funding including a $42.5 million appropriation for stadium renovations to adapt to the extreme heat. 110
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Dallas Stadium - better known as AT&T Stadium - may be one of the most climate-controlled venues in football. But cooling it during Texas summers now requires massive energy demand and tens of millions of dollars. 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Houston Stadium - also known as NRG Stadium - was the first NFL venue with a retractable roof. Now that roof has become essential. Houston is set to experience the highest humidity levels of the tournament, forcing huge cooling demands inside the energy-intensive sports venue. 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 20/05/2026The city’s climate-controlled stadium may protect fans inside. But outside it, workers and residents face dangerous heat, hurricanes, pollution, and a fragile power grid. 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 19/05/2026And Mercedes-Benz aren't the only sportswashers in town. Aramco - the world's largest fossil fuel company - are sponsoring this year's World Cup. This means that the fossil fuel giant's ads may even show during water breaks needed to protect players from the extreme heat. 🤯 4/8 121
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 19/05/2026Atlanta’s World Cup venue is Mercedes-Benz Stadium - a “green” arena named after one of the world’s largest luxury car manufacturers. The stadium promotes its solar panels, floodwater systems, and zero-waste credentials. But the venue doubles as a billboard for car culture. 👇 3/8 110
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 15/05/2026𝗡𝗘𝗪: On Wednesday night, our very own Freddie Daley spoke with France24 about the climate intensity of this year's World Cup. Here's a clip from the interview. 📖 Full report on the World Cup's emissions 👉 www.badverts.org/latest/fifa-... @responsiblesci.bsky.social @envdefensefund.bsky.social 022
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 24/04/2026This week, the brilliant Claire Poole hosted a World Cup special on The Climate of Sport. Our very own Freddie Daley was invited as a guest, talking about the climate impact of this year's tournament and FIFA's walk not matching its green talk. Full podcast: www.sportpositive.org/podcast/ 021
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 11/02/2026The athletes' message to Olympic organisers is clear - fossil fuel sponsorship is incompatible with the future of sport. That the Winter Games has this year been sponsored by one of the world's largest fossil fuel companies is too significant a contradiction to go unaddressed. 2/6 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 25/11/2025But while football fans were busy fighting fires, Europe's elite clubs and UEFA decision makers were fuelling them. Of the 18 highest seeded teams at this year's Champions League, six have a highly polluting shirt sponsor tied to a major oil and gas exporter. ⚽️💨 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 25/11/2025Fossil Free Football spoke with fans and players taking inspiring action in response to extreme weather this Summer. In Greece and Cyprus, fans joined firefighting efforts and organised collections of donations and first aid supplies for displaced families. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 26/09/2025"Climbing teaches respect for the natural world, and I believe our sport should reflect that by ending partnerships with high-carbon sponsors." - Katherine Choong 4/7 131
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 26/09/2025Climbing is still relatively untouched by polluting sponsors. But it is now one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. The letter highlights that, with this new attention, climbing risks becoming a billboard for fossil fuel interests like other popular sports. 📺💨 3/7 121
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 08/08/2025This is sportswashing - and the fossil fuel industry aren't the first to do it. Big Oil are playing from Big Tobacco's advertising playbook. It seems absurd now, but the tobacco industry dominated sports sponsorship throughout the 20th century. 🚬📺 6/9 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 08/08/2025Why sport? Because for companies driving climate breakdown, aligning with beloved athletes and iconic teams is a PR goldmine. 💰 Being associated with the World Cup, for example, is better for brand reputation than being known as one of the planet’s biggest polluters. 5/9 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 08/08/2025Climate breakdown is already having on sport across the globe - from floods and heat stress, to melting ski slops and air pollution. But athletes and sports teams are increasingly used to promote the industries that rely on continued fossil fuel use. 🤔 3/9 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 08/08/2025In a hotter and more unpredictable world, sport is under threat. Climate change is rewriting the rules of the game, endangering athletes, fans & the future of play. Without urgent cuts to fossil fuel use, the next generation won't be able to experience sport as we do today.⌛️ 2/9 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 06/08/2025🚨BREAKING! 🚨 🌍 The Fossil Free Declaration is a new global initiative inviting athletes & sports organisations to sever ties with the industries driving climate breakdown. Get involved by inviting your favourite athlete or team to join. ✍️ More 👉 cooldownclimate.org/the-fossil-f... 31917
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 04/08/2025And this is a growing problem facing the women's game. Last year, the Women's Super League agreed a sponsorship deal with Barclays - a bank which invests more in fossil fuels than any other in Europe and is tied to the mass killing of innocent children in Palestine. 5/6 250
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 04/08/2025The Lionesses have become role models for young women across the country because of the values they represent. But the team's sponsor profits from climate breakdown, threatening the future of the women's game and its young fan base. 4/6 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 04/08/2025Yet this reputation for challenging society to move in a progressive direction is becoming tainted by harmful sponsors moving into the women's game. The Lionesses are now sponsored by Chase, the retail banking arm of the world's biggest fossil fuel funder, JP Morgan Chase. 💰💨 3/6 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 24/07/2025And with its Tour sponsorship, the company is able to associate its brand with one of the cleanest modes of transport: cycling. 🚵 The fossil fuel giant's logo dominates the Tour: 🚴 On its own team 🚴 On INEOS Grenadiers 🚴 As the Tour’s "official energy partner” 5/7 030
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 03/07/2025🚨 New piece from Steve Menary, revealing the rise of long-haul football friendlies. "It’s time for football’s leaders to stop talking and start acting - governing bodies need to intervene before player welfare and the climate pay the price." 📖: sportingintelligence832.substack.com/p/burning-up... 162
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 30/05/2025🚨 Tomorrow’s Champions League final is one of football’s biggest nights. But under UEFA’s profit-fuelled expansion, the game is sprinting in the wrong direction - for players and the planet. Our full report breaks it down: www.cooldownclimate.org/resources/pl... 031
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 19/05/2025📢 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄! Find out about the fossil threat looming over the 2026 Winter Olympics and discover how you can help turn the tide. 🏔️❄️ 🗓️ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: May 20, 3-5pm GMT 💻 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Online (FREE!) 🎟️ Grab your spot: shorturl.at/62fds @andrewsimms.bsky.social @freddiedaley.bsky.social 035
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 10/04/20254. Many partners integrate climate education into their programs. 🌍 "My vision for the future of sport is one where every decision considers the planet, fostering not just great athletes but also great environmental stewards." - Hala Khalaf, co-executive director of Skateistan. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 10/04/20253. Skateistan also coordinates the Goodpush Alliance, which brings together skateboard initiatives to tackle societal challenges. Since launching in 2018, Goodpush has directly supported 425+ social skateboarding projects in 80+ countries. Find out more 👉 goodpush.org 130
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 10/04/20254. Many partners integrate climate education into their programs. 🌍 "My vision for the future of sport is one where every decision considers the planet, fostering not just great athletes but also great environmental stewards." - Hala Khalaf, co-executive director of Skateistan. 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 10/04/20253. Skateistan also convenes the Goodpush Alliance, which brings together skateboard initiatives to tackle societal challenges. Since launching in 2018, Goodpush has directly supported 425+ social skateboarding projects in 80+ countries. Find out more 👉 www.goodpush.org 100
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/20258. Transport providers & government: 1⃣ Rail providers, particularly those on key arterial routes, should provide extended services on match days to prevent fans becoming stranded. 2⃣ Targeted investment into transport infrastructure in locations where fans are often stranded. 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/20257. Leagues & clubs: 1⃣ When selecting midweek fixtures, give clubs in closer proximity to one another higher weightings. 2⃣ Invest in and help organise sustainable travel options for fans on away days. 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/20256. Just a few simple changes could make sure fans can get home by train. Broadcasters: 1⃣ Avoid scheduling Friday or Monday night fixtures where fans need to travel over 100km. 2⃣ Give a higher weighting for lunchtime kick offs for fans in marginal areas of England and Wales. 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/20254. Being stranded also has a significant environmental impact. If fans have to rely on driving to and from away days, the total emissions created by stranded fans could be up to 23,000 tonnes CO2e each season. This is about the same annual emissions as 5,300 internal combustion engine vehicles. 🚗💨 130
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/20253. Without the option to get a train home after an away game, many fans are forced to stay over to get the earliest train back. According to our model, the total cost to fans over the course of a season could reach £55 million. 💰 130
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/20252. Limited public transport and fan-unfriendly fixture scheduling is a significant problem in the English Football Leagues. We found that fans were 30 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 more likely to be stranded at full time when attending midweek games compared to weekend kick-offs. ⌛️ 140
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 04/03/20256. TotalEnergies shows no signs of slowing down its reckless fossil fuel operations. So to distract from its role in driving the climate crisis, Total has spent millions of dollars on sport sponsorship deals. Total's cycling team is a key pillar of its sportswashing strategy. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 04/03/20253. But this alleged corruption extends beyond physically blocking competitors. TotalEnergies is one of the world's largest fossil fuel companies. Its polluting operations and planned oil and gas projects are driving disruptive weather across the globe. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 04/03/20252. The final stage of this year's race was halted by storms which are becoming increasingly intense in climate-vulnerable Rwanda. Controversy erupted when race leader Fabien Doubey (Team TotalEnergies) allegedly blocked rivals to end the race. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 28/02/20254. And Vasaloppet is directly impacted by the polluting operations of these industries. Since 2007, the historic race has relied on artificial snow to take place. In Mora, the region of Vasaloppet, temperatures are 5.7°C higher than the historical norm. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 28/02/20253. The race provides a platform for oil company Preem and greenwashing car manufacturer, Volvo. Each year, the emissions of these companies melts an area of snow roughly 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀. 120
Cool Down @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social · 28/02/20252. Cross-country skiing is a cornerstone of Swedish culture and Vasaloppet is the sport's most iconic event. Winter sports are increasingly disrupted by reduced snow cover. Despite this, Vasaloppet continues to partner with the industries responsible for rising temperatures. 120