The RS Aero UK Class has identified an opportunity for us to become the first ever “Sustainable” fleet in the UK working in partnership with The Green Blue and in doing so minimise the impact of its activities on the environment.

Who are The Green Blue?

The Green Blue is the joint environment programme created by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine. It helps boat users, boating businesses, clubs, training centres and associations to reduce their environmental impact on coastal and inland waters to keep them in great shape for now and the future.

What does this mean?

It means the RS Aero UK Class Association is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment. This includes areas such as recycling of products at events, using reusable water bottles and encouraging lift share. We are also keen to help the clubs we visit improve their environmental footprint by identifying opportunities for The Green Blue to get involved.

One of the more publicised areas over the years is to do with the prevention of the spread of invasive species including the “Killer Shrimp”. Members will be encouraged to follow 'Check Clean Dry' guidance.

What are the next steps?

We are officially launching this initiative with a press conference at this years Dinghy Show on Saturday 4th March 2017. This will be taking place in the afternoon on the RS stand.

On Saturday 1st April we will be hosting the first annual RS Aero Sustainability Trophy which has been kindly donated by The Green Blue. This year's event is being hosted by Burghfield Sailing Club near Reading which has also been working in partnership with The Green Blue. It would be great to have a good turn out for this event.

How can you help?

We would really like to have a Sustainability Representative(s) in place. The role should not be onerous and is someone who can help us keep on track with our sustainability initiatives during 2017. In addition, the person or persons (as it could be shared) would help The Green Blue identify clubs that can improve their environmental footprint by completing a simple feedback sheet.

Ideally this needs to be someone who has a passion for the environment. This could be an individual, someone at University where this could complement their studies or a Youth (with or without parental support) keen on the environment and environmental issues. There is also the potential opportunity of a placement with The Green Blue. If you are interested can you please drop me an email - [email protected].

 

Finally, we would ask all members to please read the RS Aero UK Class Association Sustainability Charter and to support us with the initiatives in 2017 that make us the first UK Sustainable Fleet for the common good.
If you have any questions please email me ([email protected]) or have a chat at one of this year's events.

Thank you.
Nigel Rolfe, UK Chair