SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
Introduction
Established in 2018, headquartered in London and New York, SailGP is an annual, global sports league. Alongside delivering a world class event, sustainability is a fundamental purpose of SailGP, and we are committed to our Race for the Future.
SailGP’s purpose is to race for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Embracing a sustainable approach to our business, which, for SailGP, means accelerating a positive social and environmental impact (better sport, better planet) across our global ecosystem. For SailGP, sustainable development is a balanced approach to people, planet and profit.
Our vision is to be the world’s most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports and entertainment platform, always delivering on our principles of integrity and transparency and our company values to deliver quality, break boundaries, make an impact, stand together, and strike a balance.
Scope
This policy applies to our event sites and the areas in which we have direct control, and our manufacturing site (SailGP Technologies) and our non-manufacturing site (Office Headquarters). We also encourage suppliers, partners, contractors and sponsors across our value chain, which are outside of our direct control, to adopt the same requirements set out in this policy.
Strategy
We achieve our vision through the delivery of two strategic pillars:
Better Sport
- Accelerate inclusivity in our championship and create opportunities for the next generation of professionals in foiling.
Better Planet
- All working to mitigate climate change, be stewards of the ocean and accelerate the transition to clean energy using the platform of sport.
Targets
We are committed to delivering on sustainability principles within our sustainability strategy
through clearly defined targets and metrics:
- 100% event power from clean energy sources by 2025 (both on-shore and on-water)
- 55% reduction in direct operational scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2025 (short-term and using a 2019 baseline)
- Net-zero by 2040 at the latest (long-term and using a 2019 baseline)
We will be working to re-balance these targets against a 2024 (Season 4) baseline taking into account the growing scope and scale of the League whilst ensuring we remain ambitious, aligned to climate science and cover short and long term.
We are also committed to short, medium and long-term sustainable development through our event sustainability targets and as part of our strategy up to 2030.
Commitments
This policy commits SailGP to:
- Maintain CEO and senior management oversight and accountability of the delivery of our climate and nature strategy
- Ensure assessment and integration of climate-related risks and opportunities (including financial quantification) into company-wide business strategy and thinking
- Commitment to continual improvement of the Event Sustainability and Environmental Management Systems to improve performance and reduce environmental/social impacts relating to our events and operations (aligned to ISO 20121 and ISO 14001)
- Maintain compliance with relevant environmental legislation and regulations (aligned to ISO 20121 and ISO 14001) through regular review and update of practises
- Maintain delivery against global commitments such as the World Sailing Special Event Sustainability Charter, UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Contribution to broader community and global efforts to protect the environment by supporting impact projects that enhance ecosystem resilience, climate regulation, species conservation and overall ocean health
- Engage employees on environmental issues and ensure those responsible for adhering to this policy and/or contributing to sustainability values and targets have the relevant skills and competencies to lead and support the environmental agenda
- Regular engagement and consultation with wider stakeholder network (e.g. employees, suppliers, partners, teams, athletes, host cities) to ensure needs and expectations are met, environmental awareness is promoted and collaboration is encouraged on sustainability initiatives
Implementation
This policy is publically available via our SailGP website and is implemented through our external facing Purpose and Impact Reports and associated Climate Transition Plans. This will also be communicated internally via our company Intranet and visible in the Office Headquarters.
Governance and oversight
This policy is ultimately governed by our Chief Purpose Officer and the wider Senior Leadership team, and is signed off by our Chief Purpose Officer. It is a declaration of our purpose and ambition and will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains fit for purpose whilst reflecting any key changes in environmental
legislation, business activities or other relevant factors.
We are committed to continual improvement of our Event Sustainability and Environmental Management Systems to improve performance and reduce environmental/social impacts relating to our events and operations, and will assess and report transparently on achievements and lessons learned and, where appropriate, the wider outcomes.
All SailGP staff and contractors, teams participating in SailGP events and our partners and suppliers are made aware of this policy, our strategy, targets and commitments and must adhere to its requirements.