The Climate Council has launched a new voluntary Code for sports clubs and arts institutions to remove fossil fuel sponsorship from their uniforms, stadiums and events.

Amy Steel, former Australian Diamonds netballer and climate change advocate said sport played a huge role in creating cultural change.

Steel said: “Sport sponsorship is known as a way for companies to buy their social licence, by using the high cultural value of the sports clubs we know and love.

“So while sport doesn’t itself contribute to a vast amount of emissions compared to other industries, by allowing fossil fuel companies to gain an endorsement, we stall the change that needs to happen.

“This change is needed urgently and we count on sport to play its role in getting us back on track for a safe and habitable climate future.

“Sport as we know it literally relies on climate action.

“There will be no safe climate to play backyard cricket, country footy and netball if we fail to act any longer.

“There is no time to waste, we need to take action, and this new voluntary Code helps us to go about it.”