Empowering Climate Action: Innovative Green Sail Footprint System for Charter Companies
Author: Laura Ullius
Green Sail has developed the first-of-its-kind Green Sail Footprint system, enabling charter companies to take climate action by measuring and reducing their environmental footprint.
An environmental footprint refers to ‘the effect a person, company, activity etc. has on the environment’ and within the sailing industry. The goal should be to make ours as low as possible! Given that the nautical sector’s current way of operating is causing climate change, the loss of biodiversity and habitats for many species, pollution and ocean acidification, among other negative environmental impacts, it’s becoming increasingly important to measure and reduce our environmental footprint.
By improving your charter company's Green Sail Footprint rating, you support the industry's shift towards sustainability by staying ahead of future environmental legislation and enhancing brand reputation.
Starting with the Problem: Our Impact on the Environment
Yachts and sailboats emit harmful substances like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter (a mixture of airborne particles and liquid droplets made up of several hazardous materials), carbon monoxide, and non-methane volatile organic compounds. Irresponsible practices, such as black and greywater discharges, noise pollution, littering and anchoring in sensitive ecosystems, worsen their environmental impact.
Our Solution: The Green Sail Footprint System
Verified by scientists at the Institute for Tourism in Croatia, the Green Sail Footprint system measures emissions and sustainability actions onboard a boat, resulting in a rating out of 5. This rating indicates the impact the vessel has on the environment, with 1 suggesting that your vessel produces a significant environmental footprint, and 5 showing that it is a sustainable vessel that actively mitigates its impact on the environment.
The system works to reduce the impact the yacht charter industry has on the environment, allowing our Charter Company Partners to make informed decisions that support green initiatives.
The Green Sail Footprint System - The Rating Process
How is the rating calculated?
We measure four key areas:
- Emissions produced onboard
- Power usage
- Water usage
- Waste produced onboard
Additionally, efforts taken to reduce the environmental footprint onboard are considered, such as:
- Renewable energy sources onboard (solar panels and water makers)
- Recycling facilities
- Anti-fouling processes
Further details such as the age of the vessel, how frequently it is used and how it is used (i.e. charter or leisure) are also examined when calculating your overall Green Sail Footprint rating
What’s in it for Charter Companies: Green Sail Footprint Benefits
Yacht Charter companies can use organisations like Green Sail for their footprint calculation, but what are the benefits of doing so?
- Financial Advantages: Increased Revenue
Investing in sustainability offers various financial advantages. In the short term, charter companies dealing in sustainable products or services can charge premium prices due to factors such as lower demand, high cost of raw materials, higher wages for employees, expensive certifications and more. Similarly, more consumers are willing to pay higher prices for sustainable products/services. This all leads to increased revenue!
- Long Term Solutions: Reduced Operating Costs
In the long term, using renewable energy such as solar, hydro or wind, can be cheaper than fossil fuels. For example, the Icelandic whale-watching sailboat Ópal (the world’s first retro-fitted plugin hybrid sailboat), saves 21,300 Euros every year in energy costs with an electric engine that can regenerate its battery while sailing. Recycling and reusing materials on board can also save and reduce costs; from replacing furniture to engine parts! This, in turn, not only strengthens the company's financial health, but will also lead to increased revenue.
- Stay ahead of environmental legislation
Though the Green Sail Footprint assessment and recommended changes are currently voluntary, governments will eventually mandate compulsory environmental policy measures to be followed by companies. Staying ahead of such legislation will give companies extra time to adapt their businesses and a competitive edge over competitors who have not yet adopted sustainability measures.
- Improved Brand Reputation and Credibility
Meeting the increasing demand for environmentally-friendly options is not only beneficial but essential, given the rising global interest in sustainable products and services. Sustainability labels have the potential to significantly boost a company's reputation, especially among environmentally-conscious consumers, fostering trust and support for the company's eco-friendly initiatives. The Green Sail Footprint system also serves to enhance brand credibility by providing transparent, quantitative data that validates a company's sustainability claims, eliminating any suspicions of green-washing.
- Develop an understanding of your carbon footprint & how to offset it
The Green Sail Footprint assessment allows charter companies to gain an insight into their greenhouse emissions and what can be done to reduce, eliminate or offset them, inspiring climate action. (Offsetting, however, should be a last resort for emissions that can’t be reduced/eliminated otherwise, and must remain transparent).
- Improved supply chain flow
By assessing your environmental impact, including those of the suppliers a company works with, businesses can see where environmental impacts can be reduced. This will holistically improve the sustainability of their supply chain.
- Improved company culture
Charter companies that voluntarily conduct a Green Sail Footprint assessment may find that their employees will be more motivated to work for a company that has strong environmental ideals. Studies have shown that employees working for companies with strong corporate social responsibility practices were more motivated to work. Ultimately, it's gratifying to know that the company you work for is actively investing in a sustainable future!
Be a part of the shift towards a sustainable nautical industry
The nautical leisure industry has many negative environmental impacts on the environment, particularly in the Mediterranean. Implementing a Green Sail Footprint assessment is the first step in shifting towards a sustainable nautical industry. If you are interested in rating your vessel through the Green Sail Footprint system Green Sail, find out more here!
