GREEN BLUE

THE GREEN BLUE Winning Green Clubs

The clubs taking part in The Green Blue’s University Sailing Sustainability Challenge have achieved positive changes despite a challenging year.

Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue Campaign Manager

Actions, small and large, are making a difference. Image: Birmingham University

Now in its fifth year, the returning clubs move through a three-tier award system: Bronze, Silver and then eventually to Gold. Each tier has a different set of actions for the club to achieve, which range from raising awareness of The Green Blue’s key campaign issues, eliminating single use plastics from training and events, to undertaking an environmental assessment of the club’s sailing venue.

The Silver Award was given to Bournemouth University, University of East Anglia and the University of Plymouth. Finally, the clubs to successfully complete the Gold Award of the Challenge were the University of Bath Sailing Club and the University of Portsmouth. All those clubs were entered into a cash prize draw, sponsored by eco-friendly clothing brand R Ocean . University of Plymouth Sailing Club won £250 in the Bronze category, £350 for the Silver Helping hand category was won by Bournemouth University The students were helped with the free guides Sailing Club and University of Bath Sailing Club and documents available on The Green Blue’s won £450 in the Gold category. website, including the Inland Club Environmental Checklist and the How to Write an Environmental Policy Guide. The resources are available to all sailing clubs with an interest in becoming more sustainable. Although the pandemic may have meant that The clubs have risen to the task of lowering waste and increasing sustainability at their local clubs despite pandemic setbacks, says The Green Blue. the students were unable to meet up and hold events in the same way, they were still able to raise awareness via their social media networks. The Green Blue’s website has a range of infographics, which all clubs and training centres can download for free and add to club newsletters or social

The annual challenge, which is sponsored media sites. R by Ocean , encourages members of university The university sailing clubs which achieved the sailing clubs to become more environmentally Bronze Award this year are Aberystwyth University, aware and recognises the positive actions that University of Birmingham, Durham University, the clubs have implemented to lower their environmental impact. Exeter University, University of Liverpool and Swansea University. BHG Marine 1-4 (LYH):Layout 1 21/10/20 16:57 Page 1 Image: Loughbrough University

“University sailing clubs may be leading the way with sustainability, but their actions are easily transferable to other local clubs and training centres.”

Action for all University sailing clubs may be leading the way with sustainability, but their actions are easily transferable to other local clubs and training centres. Issues such as waste management, energy and catering are universal factors that could be affecting your club’s sustainability.

If you are a student who would like to nominate your university to take part in next year’s challenge or a member of a club interested in learning how you can make activities at your club more sustainable, visit the ‘Get Involved’ pages on The Green Blue website or follow The Green Blue on Facebook, Twitter @TheGreenBlue and Instagram: @the_green_blue #GreenBlueUniChallenge. www.thegreenblue.org.uk

Specialisingininflatable,fibreglassand aluminiumhullyachttendersandaccessories. LeadingthewaywithinnovativeTorqeedo electricpropulsionsolutions. Yamahaoutboard,partsandservice–Jeanneau powerboats–Linderaluminiumboats–Rigiflex safetyboats–AB&ZodiacRIBs–Brokerage

Only LeeSan truly specialise in toilets Toilets, Tanks, Hoses, Clips, Gauges, Deck Fittings, Vent Filters and everything you need plus Advice & Guidance Providing the best seat on-board .....

Supported by our Worldwide Spares Delivery Service