Under the venture, boats from the Eco 60 Class will be recycled and two of the three power systems on each yacht must be based on renewable energy and contribute at least 30 per cent of required onboard power. Title sponsor VELUX, race organiser Clipper Ventures and start/finish point La Rochelle will also undertake a series of sustainability initiatives.
“The climate is changing for the worse. Climate change is man-made and is a serious challenge for society – it is our responsibility as humans to reverse this trend. Because we care about the environment of the race, we need to handle it with care, for the benefit of the world and mankind,” said Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, chairman of Clipper Ventures.
“Together we will take the message of sustainability across five oceans by informing, inspiring and interacting with a global audience. By our actions and approach, the VELUX 5 OCEANS will demonstrate how it is possible to work against climate change at various levels. We do not claim to be carbon neutral, but believe that any size of contribution counts as fighting climate change.”
VELUX 5 OCEANS will follow the United Nations’ position that greenhouse gas emissions are set to lead to a marked increase in the Earth’s average temperature. Global warming is predicted to have significant negative consequences on the planet’s environment, including the planet’s oceans and atmosphere.
