Photo: Getty
LAUNCHING CEO REFLECTIONS
Working for nature
We’re invested in a sustainable future, says CEO Sara Sutcliffe
W
hen I took the role of CEO two years ago, one of the RYA’s core values
that really stood out to me was its commitment to drive awareness of sustainability and environmental issues. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised given that the activities we love take place in nature – we have a vested interest in its protection. In my experience, though,
it’s unusual to see a national governing body take such a proactive approach, usually due to lack of resources. However, at the RYA we have a team of four working across planning, environment, sustainability and The Green Blue. We can develop a realistic sustainability strategy and commit to achieve zero-carbon in recreational boating through the RYA Carbon Pathway to Zero statement. As part of the UN Global Compact we’re ensuring work towards a sustainable future is in the
RYA’s culture, and are guided by the Sports for Climate Action Framework to achieve climate change aims. We’re also working to advance the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals. None of these actions are
easy, but we’re making steady progress in both our day-to-day RYA operations ˔˗ ˧˛˥˨˚˛ ˜Є˨˘˖˜˚ ˧˛˘ wider sector and our own stakeholders, such as clubs and members. The team relies on an enthusiastic network of regional planning and environmental volunteers and is supported by their Planning & Sustainability Committee. This wouldn’t be possible
without you. Membership and ˔˙Ѓ˜˔˧˜ ˜˖ˠ˘ ˔˦ ˨˦ ˧ employ experts and put resources behind our campaigns. However, like many sports, these campaigns are impacted by rising costs and I wanted to let you know that our fees will increase this year. We’re mindful not to overburden our ˠ˘ˠ˕˘˥˦ ˔˗ ˔˙Ѓ˜˔˧˘˦ ˔˗ have carefully considered our annual fee structure to ensure the increase is minimal. I want to thank you for your continued support of the RYA. As always, please get in touch at
ceo@rya.org.uk
Awards
Putting our ˘˩˜˥ˠ˘˧ Ѓ˥˦˧
The RYA’s Kate Fortnam, Campaign Manager of The Green Blue, received recognition for her dedication to sustainable actions at the 2023 British Yachting Awards. She won Highly Commended in the Outstanding Achievement Category – for individuals who’ve gone ‘above and beyond to drive the sustainability agenda in their sport’. Votes are cast by readers of Sailing Today with Yachts and Yachting magazine. Kate said of her award: ‘The boating community have an intrinsic connection with our waters and the wildlife and habitats we share them with. Therefore we have an important role to protect and enhance these ˣ˔˖˘˦ ˙˥ ˧˛˘ ˕˘˘Ѓ˧ ˙ ˣ˘ˣ˘ ˔˗ nature, now and for years to come. ‘I feel that the boating sector is coming together to innovate and adopt more sustainable practices.’ For more information visit
www.britishyachtingawards.com
World record ʹ˔˦˧˘˦˧ ˜˧Ϡ˦ ˙Ѓ˖˜˔
John Gimson and Anna Burnet’s epic challenge to cross the Irish Sea as fast as possible in their foiling Nacra 17 has ˕˘˘ ˖Ѓ˥ˠ˘˗ ˕ ˝˨˜˘˦˦ ˊ˥˗ Records. The British Sailing Team pair rocketed from Belfast to Scotland in one hour, 30 minutes and 41 seconds last year. Burnet said, ‘The real aim was to raise awareness about decarbonising the marine industry, but it’s very cool that we’ve also come ˔˔ ˜˧˛ ˔ ˝˨˜˘˦˦ ˊ˥˗ ˅˘˖˥˗ʡϠ
rya.org.uk SPRING 2024 11
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