Emirates GBR becomes first SailGP Team to release Environmental & Social Impact Report
by Emirates GBR SailGP Team 14 Jan 10:10 GMT
Emirates GBR celebrate being crowned winners of SailGP's Impact League at the Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, July 2024 © Emirates GBR SailGP Team
The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has become the first team in the global sports league to release an Impact Report, detailing results of its ambitious environmental and social commitments during Season 4.
It was a groundbreaking season for Emirates GBR, with them being crowned winners of the SailGP Impact League, a podium for the planet which rewards teams for their actions to reduce their carbon footprint and increase diversity in sailing. The team, which has Sir Ben Ainslie as CEO, was commended for its work on climate education, renewable energy, gender equity and creating pathways for more inclusivity in the marine industry.
Read full Impact Report here
Emirates GBR's Season 4 Impact Report covers the period of June 2023 to July 2024 and showcases its work as a team and with its partners to inspire change and positive action. Highlights include: taking its base off-grid at SailGP events with a portable renewable energy installation created in partnership with Low Carbon, producing a Blueprint to enable other sports teams and industries to incorporate renewable energy into their operations, hosting 1,750 young people around the world with in-person Protect Our Future 'Climate Action' lessons and expanding the Athena Pathway Programme to fast-track development of females and youth in the marine industry.
The full Impact Report can be downloaded here, with key statistics and projects outlined below.
Environment
- Generated 5,636kwh of renewable energy with portable solar and wind installation at events
- Avoided 1,804kg of CO2e by using its renewable energy installation at SailGP Events
- Team base at events 100% powered by solar and wind energy
- Sent a surplus of 1,467kwh of renewable energy back to the SailGP grid to be used by other teams at events
- Shared its Portable Off-Grid Power Blueprint with more than 250 sports organisations
- Launched a $10,000 climate action grant for schools in Bermuda in partnership with Local Impact Partner Butterfield Bank
Social
- Hosted climate education lessons for 1,750 young people with the 1851 Trust's Protect Our Future programme at SailGP Events in eight global race locations
- Launched the Young Sailor Development Programme with Athena Pathway
- Created an internship programme with an inner-city London school, the Greig City Academy in Haringey - leading to the signing of Tottenham youngster Kai Hockley as full-time development sailor for the 2025 Season.
- Provided foiling training sessions for Greig City Academy students
- Hosted five purpose-led events with the UK government's GREAT Campaign on topics including women in sport, adopting renewable energy, and taking climate action.
Governance
- Awarded ISO20121 by International Organization for Standardization for the 10th consecutive year, a globally recognised sustainability in events certification
- Signed the United Nations Sports for Climate Action commitment
Emirates GBR CEO Sir Ben Ainslie said: "At Emirates GBR, we measure success by our achievements both on and off the water. Our goal is to be the most purpose-driven sports team in the world and inspire change that transcends our sport. This ambition underpins everything we do as a team, and last season we made great progress with groundbreaking projects in both sustainability and diversity.
"Our achievements in these areas were recognised by being crowned winners of SailGP's Impact League. After finishing second and third in the previous two seasons, reaching the top spot was a proud moment and a testament to the power of partnerships, collaboration, and innovation in addressing global environmental challenges.
"Sport has the power to educate, inspire, and drive action. As athletes and as a team, we take this responsibility seriously. By combining ambition with purpose, we hope to set a standard for what sports teams can achieve—not just in competition but in creating meaningful and lasting change for the next generation."
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