A sailing championship depends on its environment. Wind, water and the health of the sea are not simply the backdrop to the sport — they are part of what makes sailing possible.
As Bodrum prepares to welcome the 2026 ILCA Under-21 European Championships & Open European Trophy, sustainability will be an integral part of the event. The organisers are implementing a series of practical environmental initiatives in line with the EurILCA Sustainability Programme guidelines, covering areas such as waste reduction, marine conservation, environmental awareness and community action.
As part of this commitment, the event has also been registered with Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas programme, which provides an external framework for assessing the event’s sustainability efforts and will evaluate the championship for certification after the regatta.
A dedicated Green Team, coordinated by Elif Hoşcanoğlu, Chair of the Turkish Sailing Federation’s Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Environment Committee, will oversee the implementation and documentation of the sustainability programme throughout the championship.
Reducing single-use plastics
One of the programme’s practical priorities is reducing unnecessary plastic waste.
Sailors and teams will be encouraged to use reusable water bottles, while refill stations will be provided to reduce reliance on single-use bottles. Single-use plastic straws will also be eliminated.
These measures are part of a broader effort to reduce the environmental footprint of the championship while encouraging more sustainable habits among sailors, coaches, officials and visitors.
Discovering Bodrum’s marine biodiversity
The championship will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about the marine environment in which they are sailing.
Educational material highlighting Bodrum’s marine ecosystems and biodiversity will be displayed in the race officials’ briefing area. Each morning, a short sustainability reminder will also be included in the officials’ briefing, encouraging participants to explore the biodiversity display and learn more about the waters surrounding the racecourse.
The organisers are working with the Climate Reality Project Istanbul Hub to develop the marine biodiversity awareness content.
The aim is to connect the experience of sailing in Bodrum with a better understanding of the ecosystem that makes the venue possible.
From awareness to action
The programme will also include practical action on the coastline.
Subject to the racing schedule and weather conditions, members of the sailing community will take part in a shoreline cleanup, bringing sailors and others involved in the championship together to contribute directly to the protection of the local environment.
It is another way of turning environmental awareness into practical action and involving the wider sailing community in the sustainability programme.
Sailing towards COP31
Bodrum’s sustainability programme will also connect the championship with the wider international climate agenda.
Türkiye will host COP31 in Antalya in November 2026, and the organisers will raise awareness of the conference while introducing the Sailing to COP31 initiative.
The initiative connects sailing, ocean protection and youth engagement in climate action, bringing a wider climate conversation into the setting of a major youth sailing championship.
For an Under-21 event, the message has particular relevance. The sailors competing in Bodrum represent the next generation of the sport — and the generation that will play an important role in determining how sailing interacts with the marine environment in the years ahead.
A Green Team throughout the championship
A dedicated Green Team will coordinate and document the sustainability activities throughout the event.
From reducing single-use plastics and highlighting marine biodiversity to organising a shoreline cleanup and raising awareness of climate action, the intention is to make environmental responsibility a visible and recurring part of the championship experience.
The organisers also hope that these actions will extend beyond Bodrum, encouraging young sailors to take sustainable practices back to their clubs, teams and future events.
The championship’s registration with the Clean Regattas programme will provide an additional opportunity to document and assess these efforts, with the event eligible for certification following the regatta.
Protecting the waters on which we sail is part of protecting the future of our sport.
Discover the EurILCA Sustainability Programme and our commitment to more sustainable sailing events.
Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA Sustainability Programme.