IMOCA has always driven change. Change in performance, change in our championship, change with regard to safety at sea. Today, our largest mission is to drive change in our sport through sustainability, not only so that the IMOCA community can change but for offshore racing and the sport as a whole.
Before we begin, we would like to start by saying that we recognise that we still have many aspects to work on. However, we have already been working incredibly hard in seven areas. In these seven areas, we are not only driving but beginning to accelerate the change, and why is this?
Well (and this is in no particular order), these areas are core to IMOCA - some areas are governed by rules such as the Eco-Score and RISE. These rules will have the most powerful impact as they concern all members of the IMOCA Class. Consequently, they will have an impact on industry. They will push the industry to develop new sustainable techniques and innovations, and therefore reduce harmful emissions.
We have a fundamental concern, our Ocean. The Ocean is where we sail and where our sailors witness the impacts of human activity on this delicate ecosystem. Protecting it through our means and working in relation with the maritime sector has become well rooted within our Class.
Offshore racing is one of the only mixed sports in terms of gender and handicap. IMOCA celebrates this unique privilege and realises the importance of preserving and enhancing it through our Diversity Equity and Inclusion programme.
Our objective is to use sport to accelerate and embed environmental and social change. The last four years up to 2024 have seen just the beginnings of this change. The following four years will see ambitious, but achievable actions and the maturity of projects. With the right people and their mindsets, change is happening and action is taking place. As you may be aware, change takes time and right decisions should not be rushed. Yet, by swapping the BUT for the WHAT IF, it has allowed us to change and continue this extraordinary adventure.
Take a look for yourselves at what is going on behind the scenes at IMOCA.
Offshore racing, including the activities of IMOCA, is merely one part of human activity on our planet. However, we aim to reduce our emissions, accelerate sustainable change within our community and inspire those who follow our sailors and races to take action themselves. We all recognise that in whatever field we operate we have a responsibility to develop ways to protect our planet. IMOCA has taken its first steps in this regard and, over the next four years, the Class will continue to develop initiatives and embed its sustainability strategy in its activities.
IMOCA is acting entirely on its own initiative in the field of sustainability. Neither the Class, nor ocean racing in general is legally required to put in place a sustainability strategy to reduce emissions. We now know that our activities contribute to harmful emissions and we believe it is our duty to respond. Our strategy aims to align our activities with the Paris Agreement of 2015. This sets out a trajectory to reduce our emissions by 2030 and onwards to 2050.
According to a 2023 study commissioned by the Fédération Française de Voile (FFV), the offshore racing community should reduce its harmful emissions by 30% by 2030. IMOCA fully accepts this target and will endeavour to reach that goal which is itself compatible with the Paris Agreement.
A magical ingredient is the inspirational power of sport – in our case offshore racing – to capture the imagination of millions of people around the world who follow our sailors. IMOCA thus has a captive audience for its messaging about climate action and sustainable practice. In addition, the ocean on which we race is at the heart of the battle to save the planet. We have an unrivalled opportunity to highlight this and take action. By harnessing our media coverage and sharing the common goals of sustainable practice, IMOCA and our community has the power to impact our audience and drive sustainable change.
To support its work on sustainability and inclusion, the IMOCA Class announced in 2024 a new partnership with US-based 11th Hour Racing.
The partnership will help promote and develop a series of programs that the IMOCA Class has been working on over the last four years aimed at driving sustainable innovation in offshore racing, and increasing opportunities for female sailors and shore crew in the sport.
"Our collaboration with IMOCA reflects a shared commitment to driving sustainable innovation and making sailing more inclusive and equitable. Sustainability is truly embedded in the DNA of the class, and it’s inspiring to see how IMOCA has instilled these values in its skippers, helping to shape the class into a leader in the sport. IMOCA’s partnership with The Magenta Project for the Female Leadership Development Program is a great example of their dedication to empowering women in key roles, showing how diversity strengthens the sport. Using Life Cycle Assessment tools, like MarineShift360, also ensures that sustainability reaches beyond just the racecourse, helping us all understand and reduce the environmental impact of new boat builds. This partnership raises the bar for sailing and brings us closer to a more sustainable and equitable future, on and off the water."
Jeremy Pochman,
Co-founder and CEO, 11th Hour Racing
Learn more: www.11thhourracing.org