Mayor defends major climate polluter pinkwashing with London Pride sponsorship

The Mayor of London has defended United Airlines sponsorship of Pride in London.  

The airline is the headline sponsor of Pride in London, which takes place on 1 July 2023. 

London Assembly Member, Zack Polanski, has said it is “unacceptable” that the major climate polluter, are sponsoring Pride in London to “pinkwash” their role in the climate crisis. 

The contract for Pride in London provides the Mayor of London with an oversight role to avoid controversies around the event. 

“It is astounding that the Mayor permitted a company so tied to the fossil fuel industry to sponsor Pride in London,” said Mr Polanski. 

“And not only did he allow the climate polluter to sponsor the event, but he also even defended the relationship.” 

In Mayor Question Time today, Sadiq Khan quoted a statement from Pride in London said the event “welcomes a diverse array of sponsors who undergo vetting to ensure their alignment with our core values”.  

Assembly Member Polanski added that the Mayor continues to “plug” the airline was both “embarrassing” and “completely undermined the Mayor’s pledge to be the greenest Mayor London’s ever had.”  

Mr Polanski added: “I am disappointed that the Mayor has lost sight of this pledge.” 

“London should be leading the way with the radical change required, ending all fossil fuel subsidies, and prioritising the rights of the marginalised, not putting carbon polluters at the forefront of our Pride.” 

Mr Polanski has urged the organisers to take action to end the sponsorship arrangement with United Airlines, and other companies that are worsening the climate crisis