The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) celebrated its 60^th Volvo Dinghy show last weekend. As ever, the UK sailing event was a huge success for all involved, including the boating scene’s eco-friendly movement. The Green Blue (the RYA and BMF’s environmental programme promoting sustainable boating) launched the new Green Guide For Clubs, presented by Globe Skipper and The Green Blue ambassador, Mike Golding.

The new guide targets Sailing, Yacht and Motor Yacht Clubs and offers advice on how to make cost-efficient environmental improvements. The easy-to-read booklet explains environmental issues and regulations and the benefits to clubs of going green (including financial ones) and gives tips on how to enforce positive changes.  

The guide is divided up into six themes, including Waste Management, Pollution Control, Energy and Water Efficiency, Non –Native Invasive Species and Greening Events. Short-term budget solutions and longer term proposals are offered for each theme as well as case studies of clubs acting as examples. The Green Blue also provides other useful resources such as funding, assistance from The Green Blue staff, templates for Environmental Policies, The Marine Toolkit and The Green Directory.  

 The Green Blue hopes that encouraging clubs to go green will influence the attitudes and actions of its members, thus impacting the wider boating community.   

The Green Guide For Clubs will be mailed out to all clubs on the RYA’s database. You can also download the guide or order your hard copy from The Green Blue’s website.

www.thegreenblue.org.uk/