World Sailing 'Highly Commended' at 2025 IOC Climate Action Award for Support Fleet innovation

World Sailing has received a ‘Highly Commended' recognition at the 2025 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Climate Action Awards © IOC / Quinton Meyer

World Sailing has received a 'Highly Commended' recognition at the 2025 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Climate Action Awards following its groundbreaking work to decarbonise on-water operations during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The award in the International Federation category was presented to World Sailing President Quanhai Li by Albert II, Prince of Monaco, during the 145th IOC Session at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

The commendation, supported by Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Deloitte, recognises initiatives that deliver measurable impact in reducing the environmental footprint of sport while inspiring the wider Olympic Movement to take meaningful climate action.

World Sailing collaborated with the Oria Marine Support Fleet Project to successfully address one of the most significant sources of emissions in competitive sailing: the on-water support vessels.

By deploying advanced tracking technology at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing competition in Marseille, World Sailing monitored fuel consumption, emissions, and efficiency across a fleet of 285 support vessels.

The data-driven project identified a potential 20% reduction in emissions through a combination of optimised fleet management, eco-piloting training for drivers, and equipment efficiency measures.

This success has created a scalable blueprint that will now be implemented across all future World Sailing sanctioned events and the LA28 Olympic Games.

Alexandra Rickham, World Sailing's Head of Sustainability, said, "Receiving recognition at the 2025 IOC Climate Action Awards is a proud moment for World Sailing and the entire sailing community.

"This recognition confirms that the strategic changes we are implementing are not just ambitious targets, but are delivering real, measurable results.

"As a sport that lives and breathes on the water, we have a unique duty to protect our oceans. By embracing new technology and proving that even small operational changes can lead to a 20% reduction in emissions, we hope to lead the way for the maritime industry and the broader sporting world."

The 2025 awards, announced in the lead-up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, saw World Sailing emerge as a leader from a competitive field of 15 finalists. The achievement is a significant milestone in World Sailing's Sustainability Agenda 2030, which aims to halve the sport's carbon footprint and promote a circular economy within boat manufacturing.

In addition to the support fleet project, the IOC commended World Sailing for its comprehensive approach to climate action, including its "Clean Class" certification for classes and its global education series, which has reached thousands of participants across six continents.

This is the second time World Sailing has been honoured by the IOC for its environmental leadership, having previously won in the Climate Action x Sustainable Travel category in 2023.

For more information on World Sailing's sustainability initiatives and the Oria Marine project, please visit www.sailing.org/sustainability.