Coldplay respond to being called “useful idiots for greenwashing”
Coldplay have reacted to a claim that they’re being used as “useful idiots for greenwashing” while they pursue their eco-friendly ‘Music Of The Spheres’ world tour.The band’s plan to minimise their and their fans’ carbon footprint has been welcomed, although criticism has surfaced regarding companies that they’ve partnered with for help.Last week Coldplay announced a partnership with Finnish oil company Neste to cut their touring emissions by half. Neste claims to be the world’s largest producer of sustainable biofuels but the firm’s palm oil suppliers cleared at least 24,710 acres of forest in countries including Indonesia and Malaysia between 2019 and 2020 [via Friends Of The Earth].Carlos Calvo Ambel, a senior director of the Transport and Environment campaign group (T&E) said: “Neste is cynically using Coldplay to greenwash its reputation.“This is a company that is linked to the kind of deforestation that would appal Chris Martin and his fans.