University Sustainability Challenge

The Green Blue

The Green Blue is the joint environment programme created by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine launched in 2005 at the Southampton Boat Show. We help boat users, boating businesses, clubs and training centres to reduce their impact on coastal and inland waters to keep them in great shape for now and the future. The Green Blue raises awareness, supports practical projects, runs bespoke outreach activities and offers easy to follow advice to make boating in the UK as sustainable as possible.

The Green Blue - launched at the Southampton Boat Show on 19^th September 2005 - is the environmental awareness programme set up by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine. Its mission is to promote the sustainable use of coastal and inland waters by boating and watersports participants, as well as the sustainable operation and development of the recreational boating industry.

The Green Blue's objective is to help boaters and boating businesses to minimise their impact on the environment by raising awareness amongst industry and users; reducing harmful discharges; reducing environmental disturbance; and encouraging sustainable choices.

2017 Challenge winners receive their awards from Kate Fortnam of Green Blue and Peter Saxton, BUSA President at the 2017 Dinghy Show

Bangor USC demonstrate their reusable water bottles

University Sailing Sustainability Challenge (USSC)

The University Sailing Sustainability Challenge (USSC), launched by The Green Blue, is an annual competition that champions sustainability in sailing. Since it first launched in 2015 the challenge has successfully engaged with University Sailing Clubs (USCs) across the UK to encourage the adoption of environmental best practices.

Students are on the stage with their certificates

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

The USSC encourages and recognises USCs across the UK that are actively implementing sustainable practices. The challenge runs from September to February, culminating in an Awards Ceremony at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. Clubs achieving the challenge’s criteria are awarded certificates and prizes, highlighting their dedication to sustainability.

The USSC 2024-25 introduces an updated criteria, offering more creativity, flexibility, and variety in how USCs can undertake and present their sustainable actions. Each USC chooses four actions from a possible list of nine.

CHALLENGE GOALS:

Skill and Knowledge Development: Empower young people by enhancing their skills and knowledge in sustainability and leadership.
Sustainable Sailing Advocacy: Create advocates for sustainable sailing to inspire the broader boating community towards sustainable choices.
Guidance and Recognition: Offer guidance and recognition to USCs committed to making their clubs and sailing venues more sustainable.
Collaboration and Innovation: Foster collaboration and innovation in developing environmentally sustainable solutions.

Three women are walking along a beach with litter pickers in their hands

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS INCLUDE:

Making sailing events more environmentally sustainable e.g. eliminating single use plastics e.g. ensuring re-usable sports bottles and coffee cups at training sessions and events.
Raising awareness of sustainable boating best practice e.g. following the Check Clean Dry approach to removing harmful Invasive Non-Native Species.
Undertaking an environmental assessment with sailing venues to improve the sustainability of facilities and operations.
Club members to take The Green Blue Boating Pledge to Respect, Protect and Enjoy where they sail.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Don’t miss the opportunity to show your USC’s dedication to sustainability and inspire the wider sailing community. By getting involved, your club’s efforts will not only get recognised but will also make a real impact on your local environment.

For more information and to enter your University Sailing Club into the challenge, contact The Green Blue team at [email protected].

Let us sail towards a greener future together!

University Sustainability Challenge 2019-20

Now in it’s fifth year, the Green Blue’s University Sailing Sustainability Challenge expanded yet again in 2019-20, with 14 universities getting involved. A joint initiative between the RYA and British Marine, and supported by BUSA, the annual challenge sees universities across the UK improve their club’s sustainability through activities such as litter picking, promoting reusable water bottle use and using the “Check, Clean, Dry” process to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Newcastle wins University Sustainability Challenge

Newcastle University Sailing and Yachting Club were the overall winners of the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2018-19, presented by BUSA President, Peter Saxton, on behalf of the RYA and British Marine’s joint environment initiative ‘The Green Blue’. Swansea University Sailing Club clinched second place, and Dundee University Sailing Club, the University of Sussex Sailing Club and the University of East Anglia Sailing Club were in joint 3rd place.

Sustainability Challenge 2018-19 and 2019-20 – celebration and anticipation

After all their work through the winter – auditing their environment, acquiring reusable bottles, installing spill kits, demonstrating ‘spill, clean and dry’, halting the spread of alien species, promoting good environmental practice, working with host clubs, team building……...the winners celebrate the experience....and the winning. Meanwhile, The Green Blue announces a 2019-20 Challenge.