Enjoy sailing with an environmental conscience

Cannes Yachting Festival 2021: Enjoy sailing with an environmental conscience

by Yachting Festival Cannes Aug 27 04:24 PDT
September 7-12, 2021

Yachting is not immune to the awareness of the environmental crisis. Reconciling nautical activities and respect for the environment is the challenge of tomorrow.

Marinas, the nautical industry, professional players and users have been aware for several years of the real consequences of their activities on the environment.

Despite restrictive international rules aimed at protecting natural environments (hybrid propulsion, reduction of noise pollution, no more regulation of mooring areas to preserve the seabed, etc.), and the obligation for marinas with more than 100 berths to reserve 1% of their sites for electric boats from 2022, the transition is slow.

On July 28, Annick Girardin, Minister of the Sea, therefore launched a mission dedicated to the sailing industry.

The goal? Identify solutions to develop the sector by finding the balance between navigating freely and an environmental awareness which is essential today. The challenge is to initiate a green transition of nautical activities like that experienced by the automotive industry.

These new themes of sustainable development are an incredible opportunity to reinvent nautical activities to imagine the world of tomorrow.

To resolutely support this green transition, the Yachting Festival had already initiated an environmental shift in 2019 with the educational exhibition “Energy Observer” presenting the work on hydrogen and renewable energies undertaken by the boat of the same name.

To go even further, this year the Festival organized a complete “Green” route for visitors: it is an environmental route highlighting exhibitors who develop or present a concept that respects the environment. More than 50 exhibitors take part in this route which will present equipment and 80 innovative boats or equipment from an environmental point of view.

All exhibitors participating in this route display the logo.

In addition, for the first time since the creation of the Yachting Festival, the Old Port will host this year a nautical area exclusively dedicated to all-electric and hybrid boats which will present around ten boats of 8 to 12 meters.

Finally, from the Old Port to Port Canto, several eco-responsible boats are visible.