Australia’s rugby union team tackle their flying carbon footprint through the Qantas offset programme
Fri 16 Oct 2015 – Australian Rugby Union (ARU), whose team is currently competing at the Rugby World Cup tournament in England, is to offset its travel carbon footprint through the Qantas Fly Carbon Neutral programme. As well as the national team, the Qantas Wallabies – as they are known under their sponsorship agreement with the airline – includes the Sevens and junior representative teams, and together they fly several million kilometres each year, says ARU. The offset programme, which Qantas claims is the largest of its kind in the world, supports projects that include the conservation of 7,000 hectares of Tasmanian forest, wildlife protection and the empowerment of rainforest communities in Papua New Guinea.
“We are delighted to combine with our long-standing partner Qantas to become the first national sporting organisation in Australia to offset our entire carbon footprint,” said Rob Clarke, ARU General Manager Professional Rugby, Marketing & Operations.
“Through our involvement in the Qantas Fly Carbon Neutral programme we will be offsetting our extensive travel by supporting important environmental projects both here in Australia and overseas. Beyond that we are also looking to minimise the environmental impact of our work on the ground, in the day-to-day running of the business.”
Qantas Head of Environment Alan Milne said: “Australians have a special place in their heart for sport, and by offsetting the Qantas Wallabies’ carbon footprint we hope to create a connection between our passion for sport and our passion for the environment.”
