Decarbonisation for the Recreational Marine Industry Report launched

The much-anticipated Pathways to Propulsion Decarbonisation for the Recreational Marine Industry Report has been launched at METSTRADE.

With climate change becoming an increasingly contentious matter, many industries are looking at ways they can help reduce their carbon footprint, especially finding ways in which they can lower their carbon emissions. The boating industry is no different, adopting different methods to play their part in the race against climbing emissions and the devastating effects these emissions could have on our environment.

In aid of this, the marine industry has completed a study that looks at propulsion technologies across nine common recreational watercraft to compare the impact of lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, financial cost, usability, range, performance and infrastructure implications.

What is the Pathways to Propulsion Decarbonisation report?

The report was commissioned by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) to investigate how the global recreational marine industry can further reduce carbon emissions. The independent study was undertaken by the leading global engineering consulting firm Ricardo PLC and is the most comprehensive lifecycle assessment study ever conducted within the leisure boating industry.

The findings illustrate that the diversity of the recreational marine industry means environmental sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives cannot take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in relation to propulsion technologies.

Boating Industry Association 

Boating Industry Association (BIA) CEO Andrew Scott said the report was a significant event for the industry:

“ICOMIA commissioned the study to provide the recreational boating sector with focus on the global challenge presented by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Whilst the recreational boating sector contributes 0.08 per cent of global emissions when compared with 20 per cent by the transport sector, we understand we have a contribution to make in mitigating the threat and risks from GHG.

“BIA is a member of ICOMIA and holds key roles on its Sustainability Committee, and we support informed discussions.

“The BIA welcomes the opportunity to host what will be some of the first industry briefings in the world on this report.

“BIA also acknowledges the support from the Queensland Government to deliver industry briefings at the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Mackay and Cairns.”

Want to learn more?

The BIA has joined with the Queensland State Development Group to deliver a series of industry briefings in the Sunshine State on the study. How the study could affect the industry going forward is a topic many are curious about, which is why these briefing sessions came about.

Industry and media are invited to connect with like-minded professionals and leaders to share insights, experiences and ideas on how we can collectively reduce our environmental impact and champion a more sustainable boating future.   

If you’re in Queensland and would like to learn more about what this study means and how it could affect your boating experience, the briefing sessions are held as follows:

27 Nov, 3–5pm | Coomera, TAFE

28 Nov, 3–5pm | Brisbane, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

29 Nov, 3–5pm | Mackay, Mantra at the Marina

30 Nov, 4–6pm | Cairns, Cruising Yacht Squadron

Please note that the registration to attend these briefings was closed on 20 November. If you don’t want to miss the insights shared, the BIA will produce a webinar of the briefings to share the findings with the industry and stakeholders nationwide after the series of events concludes.