SailGP has released its second annual Purpose and Impact Report, highlighting the successes and challenges met as the league targets sustainable growth. The new report spans SailGP’s entire 11-event third season, from the season opener in Bermuda to the Grand Final in San Francisco. From making strides in reducing boat carbon emissions to becoming the first sport organization to submit a CDP climate change disclosure, we pick out some of the best bits from the report.
ROCKWOOL Denmark diverted seven tonnes of ocean-bound plastic
Impact League winner ROCKWOOL Denmark incentivized speed and combated ocean pollution in one go by launching the ‘More Speed Less Plastic’ initiative. For each 1 km/h of speed recorded during each race, a total of 10kg of plastic litter was committed to be removed. Elsewhere, the team undertook a number of other sustainability initiatives, including creating an on-water waste management system for chase boats. All SailGP teams worked with their Race For The Future partners to undertake various sustainability initiatives throughout the season. Spain spearheaded the adoption of sustainable fuels in the league’s support fleet while France pioneered the use of a hydrogen generator to power part of the France Sail Grand Prix.
Five Season 3 events were 100% powered by clean energy
The league made significant progress in meeting its target of ensuring all SailGP events are 100% powered by clean energy by 2025. Five events of the 11-strong Season 3 calendar were powered by clean energy - compared to just one event in Season 2. In Plymouth, this was achieved by using bio-methanol and solar to power the Race Stadium, along with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for the Tech Site. In Saint-Tropez, Cadiz and San Francisco meanwhile SailGP conducted trials using various clean energy sources.
SailGP made big strides in reducing boat carbon emissions
SailGP’s aim is to have its entire on-water support fleet 100% powered by clean energy by 2025. In Season 3, the league made big steps towards this - reducing support boat carbon emissions by 13% on an event-by-event basis compared to Season 2. This was achieved by incorporating electric boats were possible and optimizing the number of operational boats.
SailGP was the first sport organization to submit a CDP climate change disclosure
SailGP proved its commitment to accountability by becoming the first sport organization to submit a CDP climate change disclosure. A nonprofit organization, CDP oversees a global environmental disclosure system -with hundreds of companies scored on their environmental data. Firms are graded A-D, and SailGp earned a B- score - showing the league is managing its environmental impact well.
A total of 13 local impact projects were delivered in Season 3
In an effort to leave a positive impact wherever the league races, SailGP worked with host cities to delivered a total of 13 local impact projects across 11 events. These ranged from installing a 100 solar panels in Plymouth and safeguarding 548 sqm of seagrass in Bermuda, to planting 5,000 native vegetation species in Chicago and donating 25 juvenile fish nurseries to the local marine ecosystem of Copenhagen.
To read the full report, click HERE.
