We call on the Kendal Mountain Festival to dump Dacia at the next opportunity and sign the Cool Down Network’s Fossil Free Declaration. We stand with those who have withdrawn their support from the festival - through speaking, attendance or promotion.

We understand that festival costs cannot be borne by entrants alone. Hence we appreciate the need to attract sponsors. But we take issue with the selection of sponsors that promote the use of fossil fuels or carbon intensive lifestyles. Taking bad money to fund good causes is not the answer. Aligning with the right sponsor is critical as the wrong sponsor can negate any positive environmental work you’ve achieved.

Fossil fuels are driving climate breakdown, which in turn is destroying the mountain environments we value. The recent disaster in the Himalayan mountains should be ringing alarm bells. It is nonsensical for a festival that celebrates the natural environment to host a Dacia drive-in cinema that enables Dacia to sportswash and promote their fossil fuel SUVs. It is hypocritical to partner with Dacia and show the powerful People’s Emergency Briefing. Have those who implemented the partnership understood the Briefing’s message? It would seem not. 

We implore you to think again. The festival should be a celebration of mountains, encourage everyone to protect the fragile environment and not be tainted by association with fossil fuels. Please ditch Dacia at the next available opportunity. We also encourage you to sign the Cool Down Network’s Fossil Free Declaration and put an end to sportswashing.

The following people have withdrawn their support  from the Kendal Mountain Festival - through speaking, attendance or promotion - while they allow firms to use the festival for sportswashing:

Damian Hall, Ultra runner and former speaker at the Kendal Mountain Festival.

Calum Macintyre, co-founder of Norwegian climate organisation Folk Mot Fossilmakta, due to speak at this years festival.

The Green Runners CIC

References

Fossil Free Declaration https://www.cooldownclimate.org/the-fossil-free-declaration

The Green Runners - Is event sponsorship by a car manufacturer okay? https://thegreenrunners.com/is-event-sponsorship-by-a-car-manufacturer-ever-okay/

The Green Runners - Using a high-carbon sponsor’s money for good is a bad idea https://thegreenrunners.com/sportswashing-drop-polluting-sponsors/

Sportswashing definition https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/sportswashing-definition-examples/