Event Details | |
| Host | Yacht Club Costa Smeralda |
| Location | Porto Cervo, Arzachena, Italy |
| Certification Level | Platinum |
| Website Link | https://www.yccs.it/en |
Best Practices Achieved
1. Eliminate Single-Use Water Bottles and Provide Water Refill Stations
Reusable water bottles were provided to the media team and accredited media, and a drinking water fountain is available outside the YCCS. Together, these measures helped reduce the consumption of single-use plastic water bottles.
2. Eliminate Plastic Straws
Plastic drinking straws were not available at the YCCS and therefore were not used during the event. Beverages were served in 100% recyclable paper cups.
3. Serve Food with Plastic-Free Dinnerware
After-race refreshments were served using biodegradable alternatives, including cellulose pulp plates, paper cups and wooden cutlery.
4. Skip Bags or Go Reusable
Reusable skipper bags were distributed to team representatives during registration, providing a practical alternative to single-use bags.
5. Award Practical Items or Use a Perpetual or Upcycled Trophy
The winners of each class were awarded perpetual trophies.
6. Publicize Your Sustainability Efforts
The event website featured a dedicated “YCCS Sustainability Commitment” section within the regatta page, providing access to a document outlining the Club’s sustainability commitments, environmental initiatives and the principles of the Charta Smeralda. In addition, the YCCS website includes a dedicated Sustainability section presenting the Club’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Key sustainability messages were also displayed on the LED wall in Piazza Azzurra throughout the event, helping to raise awareness among competitors, teams and visitors.
7. Involve Local Organizations
The principles of the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover), promoted in collaboration with the Municipality of Arzachena, were highlighted throughout the event as part of the sustainability awareness activities. Information and visual content displayed on the Ledwall in Piazza Azzurra.
8. Post Educational and Reusable Signage
Waste separation was facilitated through clearly labelled collection bins positioned across the regatta village and YCCS. In addition, educational content on water consumption and plastic pollution was displayed next to the drinking water fountain, helping to promote greater awareness of sustainability-related issues among participants and visitors.
9. Serve Local Food or Source Seafood Sustainably
During the after-race refreshments, participants were offered a selection of local food, including salads with locally sourced vegetables and dishes prepared with regional products such as tuna, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
10. Organize a Green Team
Two members of the organizing team were responsible for monitoring the implementation of sustainability measures and ensuring compliance with the Best Practices Checklist.
11. Ensure Proper Waste Bin Placement and Signage
We have placed clearly labelled waste collection bins both within the YCCS premises and throughout the regatta village to facilitate proper waste separation, with clear indications of the types of waste to be disposed of in each bin.
12. Divert Food Waste from the Landfill
Food service for the after-race refreshments was carefully planned to avoid overproduction and minimize food waste. In accordance with Italian regulations, which require separate waste collection, all waste generated during the event was sorted before disposal and collected through the designated waste streams provided by the local waste management system.
13. Use Paperless Event Management
The Notice of Race stated that the event would be conducted as a paperless event. Accordingly, all event communications, notices and official documents were published digitally on the official event website, while event updates were communicated through the official regatta WhatsApp channel. The course booklet was made available exclusively online, and the Sailing Instructions specified that no printed copies would be provided by the Organizing Authority.
15. Prevent Toxins from Entering the Water
Measures aimed at protecting the marine environment were outlined in the event sustainability guidelines and official documents. Participants were encouraged to minimise any adverse environmental impact of sailing activities, take care to protect the environment during and after the event, and avoid intentionally discharging waste into the water. In addition, hull cleaning was permitted only by divers authorized by the Harbour Master and subject to prior approval from the Marina Office. The use of toxic or harmful substances for hull cleaning was strongly discouraged in order to protect the marine ecosystem.
16. Increase Awareness of Wildlife and Habitat Protection
Official event documents encouraged participants to act responsibly towards the marine environment, minimise adverse environmental impacts and adopt practices that support the protection of marine wildlife and habitats. The documentation also referenced the principles of the Charta Smeralda, which guided the event’s sustainability approach.
17. Offer Vegetarian or Vegan Alternatives
Vegetarian and vegan options were available during the after-race refreshments, including pizza and salads prepared with locally sourced vegetables, as shown in the attached photos.
18. Promote Alternative Transportation
Transfer services were provided during the event by the YCCS Institutional Partner Range Rover. The transfers are available to owners, crews, media guest and staff working at the event.
19. Reduce Day-of Emissions
During the regatta, electric buoys equipped with a GPS positioning system were used. By maintaining their position without traditional anchors, these buoys helped reduce impacts on the seabed and the marine environment.
20. Inspire Future Action
Environmental awareness was integrated into several aspects of the event. Sustainability principles inspired by the Charta Smeralda were communicated through the official event documents and reinforced through visual content displayed on the LED wall in Piazza Azzurra, reaching both participants and visitors. The commitment to reducing environmental impact was also promoted at the drinking water fountain, where the message “Be the Wave of Change” encouraged simple everyday actions such as refilling reusable bottles and reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
