British Cycling is facing mounting criticism amidst accusations of greenwashing following the announcement earlier this week of an 8-year sponsorship deal with oil and gas giant Shell.

Cycling’s governing body had said that the new partnership would see a shared commitment to further the sport, drive innovation and controversially for many; ‘accelerate British Cycling’s path to net zero’.

Climate action groups such as Greenpeace have called the move ‘a blatant greenwash’ amid revelations that Shell currently has no plans to hit net-zero targets over the next 10-20 years.

Recent research conducted by the InfluenceMap thinktank has also indicated that despite 70% of Shell’s marketing spend going on green claims, only 10% of its capital expenditure does so.

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When the original announcement was made, British Cycling’s CEO, Brian Facer has said: “We’re looking forward to working alongside Shell UK over the rest of this decade to widen access to the sport, support our elite riders and help our organisation and sport take important steps towards net zero – things we know our members are incredibly passionate about.”

Shell UK chair, David Bunch had added: “We’re very proud to become an official partner to British Cycling. The partnership reflects the shared ambitions of Shell UK and British Cycling to get to net zero in the UK, as well as encouraging low and zero-carbon forms of transport such as cycling and electric vehicles.”