SailGP has been shortlisted in the BBC’s very first Green Sport Awards, which champion athletes and sports organizations that are helping to contribute to a more sustainable future.
SailGP was shortlisted for the Ambition & Impact Award after meeting robust sustainability criteria. This criteria requires nominated organizations to have a net zero or reduction emissions target by a specific date, to have shared information about how it plans to meet such reduction targets, and has had a demonstrated commitment to do so in place for at least 12 months.
The criteria also asks organizations to show specific examples of how they are fostering innovation to meet targets, and how they are influencing fans, citizens and wider society.
Speaking about the nomination, SailGP’s director of purpose and impact, Fiona Morgan, said: “It's fantastic to be shortlisted for the first ever BBC Green Sport Ambition and Impact award, and to have our collaborative work with teams, partners and host cities recognized. Our ambition is to be the world's most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports league and nominations like this show we are on the right track.”
The nomination comes on the same day SailGP published its first ever Purpose and Impact Report, which sums up SailGP’s environmental and sustainability progress in Season 2, and compares it to its overall strategy.
Elsewhere, Great Britain strategist Hannah Mills has been shortlisted for Athlete of the Year, a nomination which recognises her personal work raising awareness of climate issues. Alongside competing on the SailGP circuit, Mills has worked tirelessly to promote climate awareness, founding Big Plastic Pledge, taking part in the Athletes of the World message for COP26, and through her roles of SailGP Global Sustainability Ambassador and IOC Sustainability Ambassador.
Speaking about the nomination, Mill said: “I’m so honored to be shortlisted as Athlete of the Year for the BBC Green Sports Awards amongst a brilliant group of fellow athletes. I’ve had the chance to be a part of some brilliant initiatives and collaborate across teams to drive meaningful change.
"From working with the Great Britain SailGP Team’s education and purpose partner - Protect Our Future, helping young people access new digital learning resources, to becoming the first female SailGP sailor in Cádiz, Spain last year, to spearheading the Athena Pathway Programme, a pathway for female and youth athletes to fast-track development in professional sailing, on and off the water, including into both the America's Cup and SailGP.
“I’m really proud of what we have achieved so far, but feel we have only scratched the surface. As athletes, we have a platform to inspire real change - we must do more than simply what’s expected. We must change the expectations we set. I may not always be a competing athlete, but I will always be using this platform that has been given to me to raise awareness on environmental and broader sustainability topics.”
Covering five different categories, spanning Teamwork, Evergreen Athlete, Athlete of the Year and Young Athlete of the Year, the Green Sport Awards are designed to use the power and passion of sport for a positive effect. Partnering with Sport Positive Summit, the awards celebrate individuals and organizations around the world which are using their profiles and practices to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The next stage of the judging process will be overseen by an independent verifier, with the winners of the Green Sport Awards announced on Tuesday, October 4.
