Sailing all together against pollution
As sailors, our love for nature began in childhood and has shaped the course of our lives. Driven by the wind and waves, day after day, we’ve grown deeply connected to the oceans that inspire and sustain us.
Our wonderful seas deserve all our admiration and respect. And just as we have enjoyed them all this years, we surely want future generations to do so as well. Due to plastics and other types of pollution caused by humans, not only our playground but also the whole life as we know it is at risk.
That’s why we created EurILCA’s Sustainability Programme. Our mission is to raise awareness among sailors about this critical issue and encourage changes in our daily habits and choices. Together, we can reduce harm and begin the healing process for our oceans. Let’s take action for ourselves, for our seas, and for the sailors of tomorrow.
Our mission
- Embed sustainability as a fundamental aspect of every EurILCA sailing event, ensuring environmental responsibility at all levels.
- Establishing sustainability as an essential principle for sailors, as vital as wind to sailing.
- Raise awareness within the sailing community, encouraging the adoption of eco-conscious practices and habits.
- Inspire and guide other class associations, federations, and sailing clubs to embrace and implement our sustainability initiatives.
Our actions
- Developed comprehensive guidelines and a toolkit to help host eco-friendly championships (click here to download).
- Incorporated sustainability requirements into contracts between EurILCA and event-hosting clubs (click here to download).
- Provided event organizers with fully digital services, including online notice boards, messaging, and results management, to significantly reduce printed communication at European championships.
- Introduced reusable mast sleeves to identify fleets, eliminating the need for plastic stickers on hulls, which previously contributed to waste and pollution.
- Implemented reusable coach flags to replace single-use plastics like stickers, reducing environmental impact.
- Promoted use of electronic marks to replace traditional ones at most events.
- Promoted compostable or reusable alternatives to single-use plastic cups, plates, and utensils at all events.
- Promoted the installation of water refilling stations at all European championships, encouraging sailors to refill bottles instead of relying on single-use plastic bottles.
- Implemented environmentally-friendly materials for trolley identification.
- Promoted the installation of bins for waste separation.
- Helped organising beach and boat park cleanups.
- Leveraged social media platforms to raise awareness about sustainability initiatives (click here to follow).
Latest achievements
August 2024 – Platinum Certification
The 2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy received the Clean Regattas’ highest level certification by Sailors for the Sea.
We want to thank and congratulate the staff at Ballyholme Yacht Club for such a wonderful and sustainable event in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
March 2024 – Silver Certification
The 2024 ILCA Under 21 European Championships & Open European Trophy received the Clean Regattas’ Bronze certification by Sailors for the Sea.
We want to thank and congratulate the staff at Reial Club Nautic Port de Pollensa for their commitment to organise a sustainable event in Mallorca, Spain.
September 2022
In September 2022, our Sustainability Program has been nominated among four worldwide finalists to the highest recognition of success in marine sustainability, 11th Hour Racing World Sailing Sustainability Awards.
Our mandatory requirements for sailing clubs organizing European Championships, as well as our efforts to spread awareness and reduce plastic waste has been recognized as a low-cost easily replicable initiative.
We are inviting all federations and class associations to replicate our program or create their own to fight ocean pollution and spread awareness in our community!
It’s time to take collective action to save our oceans that has given us so much.
HOW TO ORGANISE AN ECO-EVENT
LOGO DOWNLOAD
Whether you’re a sailor, coach, race organizer, or sailing enthusiast, we’d love to have your support as a volunteer. Together, we can accelerate our sustainability efforts and make a greater impact.
Ready to make a difference? Get in touch with us today!
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