World Sailing has launched the first Olympic‑wide project to measure the environmental impact of sailing equipment. The initiative covers all six Olympic classes across the full life cycle of boats and gear.
The 12‑month programme uses life‑cycle assessments (LCAs) to chart environmental footprints from production through use to end‑of‑life. Findings will guide future rules, technical standards and class selection. The project supports World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda 2030 and Olympic Vision. It aims to embed environmental data into equipment regulation and decision‑making aligned with the International Olympic Committee.
From 2032, Olympic classes must provide independently verified LCA data to be eligible for selection. Environmental impact will rank alongside performance in evaluations.
MarineShift360, a life‑cycle assessment tool for the marine industry, will supply methodology, tools and training. The system is delivered by Marine Futures with support from 11th Hour Racing. World Sailing’s Director of Sustainability, Alexandra Rickham, said, "Sailing depends on a healthy ocean." She said the project will help shape smarter choices for Olympic equipment.
Julie Duffus, Head of Sustainability at the IOC, welcomed World Sailing’s move. “Sustainability has to be built into decision‑making,” she said, noting the project sets a precedent for sport.
Ollie Taylor of Marine Futures said World Sailing is showing “true climate leadership in sport.” He added that the data will help identify where improvements will have the greatest impact.
Shared results aim to create fairer and more transparent standards for manufacturers. Many of the same builders also serve recreational sailors, meaning innovation may spread through the wider marine sector.
World Sailing has begun onboarding class manufacturers, with initial workshops held in October 2025. Each class must complete its assessment within three months under World Sailing’s technical team.
Future phases will broaden analysis to include full Olympic campaigns. This will bring in equipment transport and athlete travel to guide event planning and further reduce impact.
Early adopters such as iQFOiL and ILCA, which have already carried out LCAs, will help refine the shared framework. Results from the first phases will shape updated sustainability criteria for future equipment and events.
