World
Sailing presents a sustainable future for the sport at the 2016 Annual
Conference
At today's
Sustainability Forum at the 2016 Annual Conference in Barcelona, Spain, World
Sailing CEO Andy Hunt presented the world governing body's sustainability
strategy to delegates and an online audience on YouTube.
The
sustainability strategy will define World Sailing's approach across three
pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social and will
support the new vision and mission, released on 4 October, which can be
encapsulated in a simple message: sport, technology and nature in powerful
harmony.
The Sustainability
Strategy is available to download below:
On the release
of World Sailing's sustainability strategy Andy Hunt commented, "Sailing
has a unique relationship between sport, technology and the forces of nature.
Sailors have an opportunity to be guardians of the oceans and waters of the
world.
"In order to achieve this we needed to develop a clear strategy for
World Sailing and all the sport's stakeholders. This sustainability strategy
identifies risks and opportunities within our sport at the moment and
outlines clear common, shared objectives.”
Carlo Croce, President of World Sailing, commented, "Working with our
stakeholders, World Sailing's programmes and projects will aim to be the
catalyst for positive change. Over the coming months and years, we will
strive to amplify what's been achieved across sailing and become a leader in
global sustainability initiatives in world sport.”
World Sailing's Sustainability Strategy will ensure that World Sailing, its
members and partners have a framework that delivers fact based tangible
benefit across the three pillars of sustainability – environmentally, social
and economically.
Following the identification of risks and opportunities, eight objectives to
drive the strategy have been set. These include:
- Protect
and enhance sailing's waters and the wider water environment
- Promote
research into the impact of sailing on the environment
- Encourage
a robust approach to sustainability across the sports and its supporting
affiliated industries
- Minimise
World Sailing's carbon footprint and promote resource efficiency across
the Sport
- Create
a sound economic base for World Sailing and the Sport
- Provide
and promote safe and collaborative working environments
- Develop
diverse and inclusive operations, promoting sailing in an open and
accessible way to increase participation
- Communicate
the benefits and importance of sustainability and facilitate stakeholder
engagement in the delivery of this strategy
In order to achieve the objectives World Sailing will establish a
Sustainability Commission (subject to World Sailing Council approval),
appoint a Sustainability Officer to work out of the Executive Office, work in
partnership with stakeholders and set programmes and projects to address the
issues.
The programme and projects, which are outlined in the strategy document in
full, include:
- Develop,
implement and attain certification under ISO 20121 for World Sailing
Sustainability Management System (SMS)
- Delivering
sustainability through events
- Develop
and introduce a World Sailing Sustainable Venue Standard
- Develop
World Sailing Technical sustainability standard for use in all World
Sailing procurement and promote its adoption across the sailing industry
- Increase
awareness through provision of tailored training programmes on various
aspects of sustainability to all partner organisations
- Support
the sailing community to engage more in sustainability matters and
encourage their adoption of the World Sailing Sustainability Vision
through partnership with MNAs, Class Associations and event operators
- Design
robust informatics structure and appropriate data capture procedures to
record, track and report on progress
- The
release of World Sailing's sustainability strategy kick started
proceedings at the Sustainability Forum, an open event for delegates in
attendance at the 2016 Annual Conference.
The Forum is
live on World Sailing's YouTube channel now until 18:00 local time, 17:00 UTC
here - https://youtu.be/xIzvmfzF9MI.
The Forum will be available to watch back in full after its conclusion.
Keynote speeches are being delivered by Jill Savery (CEO at Bristlecone
Strategies), Susie Thomson (Sustainability Manager Team BAR), Anne-Cecile
Turner (Director Blueshift) and Julia Palle (Sustainability Manager Formule
E).
By Daniel Smith - World
Sailing