Sailing’s governing body will require environmental impact data for Olympic class selection from 2032, making the sport the first to embed sustainability metrics into its competitive framework as federations face pressure to align with IOC climate goals.
World Sailing has unveiled a landmark project to measure and reduce the environmental impact of every Olympic-class boat. This is the first initiative of its kind in any Olympic sport, according to the sports governing body.
The 12-month project will see all six Olympic sailing classes participate in a life-cycle assessment (LCA) aimed at evaluating the full footprint associated with the production, use and end-of-life stages of building and campaigning Olympic equipment. The findings will guide the development of future rules, technical standards and Olympic class selection, ensuring that environmental data is central to World Sailing’s Olympic decision-making framework.
The initiative aligns with World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda 2030 and its Olympic Vision, which commits the federation to integrating sustainability into technical standards, equipment regulations and evidence-based decisions consistent with IOC priorities. Starting in 2032, all classes seeking Olympic inclusion must provide an independently verified LCA, making environmental impact a key factor alongside performance.
MarineShift360, a life-cycle assessment tool for the marine industry founded by 11th Hour Racing and delivered by Marine Futures, will provide the methodology, tools and training for each class and manufacturer involved.
