Local councillor accuses Hackney Half organisers of ‘participating in greenwashing’ through Wizz Air sponsorship

Green councillor for Hackney Downs, Alastair Binnie-Lubbock. Photograph: Hackney Greens

Organisers of  London’s largest half-marathon have been accused of “greenwashing” for picking an airline as a sponsor.

The sold-out Hackney Half, which takes place this Sunday, attracts thousands of runners and is expected to raise £1m for charity.

Entry costs £52 and the event takes runners along a “flat and fast” route along Mare Street, Broadway Market and Hackney Wick before finishing up at Hackney Marshes.

Green councillor Alastair Binnie-Lubbock has questioned the choice of Wizz Air as a sponsor.

He told organisers LimeLight Sports Club Ltd that it is “normalising aviation at a time of climate crisis”.

He said: “I celebrate the Hackney Half as a major institution of our borough, which puts public health and wellbeing centre stage for our residents and visitors from around the UK and beyond.”

But he accused organisers of “participating in aviation greenwashing” through the airline sponsorship.

Cllr Binnie-Lubbock’s concerns include the need for airline emissions, which contribute to climate change, to reduce by at least 2.5 per cent a year to help meet net-zero targets by 2050.

He highlighted the seven per cent of harmful emissions in Hackney that come from aeroplanes.

The councillor told those behind the half-marathon that the aviation industry contributes two per cent of the world’s harmful carbon dioxide emissions – meaning it would be among the 10 biggest emitters if it were a country.

He also pointed out that Hackney is under flight paths that “cause noise and air pollution for residents”.

He added: “Flying is a privilege enjoyed by a minority of the world’s population. Around four per cent of the [world’s population] will ever set foot on a plane to travel internationally.”

He also feels that giving out vouchers for the airline to race participants is “flying in the face of net-zero commitments, encouraging more flying”.

LimeLight Sports Club boss Craig Dews said: “We place sustainability at the heart of the events.”

Steps include encouraging runners to travel to the race by public transport, collecting old sports clothes and shoes for recycling, and giving edible leftover food and drink to local charities.

Dews added: “As a purpose-led business, the environment and our impact on it is something we take incredibly seriously. That is why we are constantly looking at new ways to further enhance the sustainability of our events and always carefully consider the credentials of all potential commercial partners.”

He said the company looked at its partnership with the airline “thoroughly”.

“Whilst we recognise and understand concerns, the decision to partner with any sponsor is not made lightly, and the partnership with Wizz Air was considered thoroughly. The fact remains that travel is a vital mode of transport across the world and low-cost airlines play an important role in ensuring international travel and the benefits it provides are affordable to people from all backgrounds.”

He said the company is “Europe’s most sustainable airline” with a pledge to cut carbon emissions by a quarter by 2030 and an “ultra-modern and efficient fleet”.

LimeLight Sports Club said that “air travel isn’t going away” and felt the airline was “leading the way when it comes to providing the most sustainable solution in the market”.

Organisers also considered “the positive impact we have on the community” and the role of the wider Hackney Moves festival, supported by the airline, in giving people the chance to try new sports, “with the aim of helping people create long-term lifestyle changes which have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing”.

The festival also includes a free 5k community run and a Schools Challenge for children to clock up a half-marathon distance by walking to and from school, culminating with the last mile at Hackney Moves, where pupils get medals and T-shirts.

“The Hackney Moves weekend is not only a celebration of the wonderful community here in this part of East London, but, together with the half marathon, has an incredibly positive impact on local people and the local area,” Dews explained.

“That is possible partly as a result of our commercial partners and in this instance, we were convinced by Wizz Air’s environmental credentials and its passion for ensuring Hackney Moves remains free and that the half-marathon retains the status of the biggest half-marathon in London for many years to come.”

An spokeswoman for Wizz Air said the Hackney Half “truly aligns with our sustainability credentials”.

She said the company has the “lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre in Europe”.

Last year, the Centre for Aviation named the airline as “the most sustainable airline group globally”, she added.

The airline aims to cut 25 per cent of its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 by renewing its fleet.

It said it has “one of the youngest fleets in the world” and the new planes emit 20 per cent less carbon dioxide and 50 per cent less nitrogen oxide than other aircraft.

The spokeswoman said the airline is also investing in sustainable fuel.