1 May 2024

Under the umbrella of EBI, key market players are jointly tackling the  sustainability challenge and bringing the industry ahead of the curve. A group of 16 leading recreational  boat manufacturers and 8 industry associations is coming together to develop the first-ever  environmental footprint methodology for recreational boats under 24 metres. It will be backed up by a  database and assessment tool to allow small and large manufacturers to access the green transition. 

Tackling climate change and reducing environmental impact as a whole is a major challenge and the boating industry is committed to addressing emissions across the entire life cycle. This is however only possible with a common approach that the entire industry is signed up to. 

A group of 16 leading European boat manufacturers and eight marine industry associations is coming together to develop an industry standard methodology to measure the environmental footprint of boats under 24 metres. The threshold of 24 metres has been chosen to align with EU regulations. It will be based on a coherent Life Cycle Assessment approach following the stringent EU Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules. 

The project will be conducted in two phases, first  to harmonise  calculation rules. In the second phase, the focus will be  on implementing this with transparent  environmental footprint methodology 

focusing on developing a science-based and a comprehensive materials database and user-friendly calculation tool. This then allows manufacturers to conduct eco-design and  comprehensively reduce environmental impact, as well as communicate the environmental footprint to  consumers, stakeholders and regulators. It will go beyond carbon emissions and include other critical  environmental indicators.  

This common effort will also allow industry to comply with the latest EU environmental legislation and  be ahead of the regulatory curve. The project has already been presented to the EU Commission and  received its strong support.  

The project is led by European Boating Industry (EBI) and is industry-financed. The renowned  environmental sustainability consultancy Quantis has been chosen as technical partner. ICOMIA, the  

International Council of Marine Industry Associations, is a strategic partner of the project to ensure  global alignment. It builds on the comprehensive and independent ‘Pathways to Propulsion  Decarbonisation for the Recreational Marine Industry’ study published in November 20231. 

Robert Marx, President of EBI commented “This is a unique and highly welcome cooperation. For the  first time, competing manufacturers are committed to jointly addressing the sustainability challenge. Its  outcomes will allow companies of all sizes to access the green transition without greenwashing, reduce  environmental impact and proactively shape the regulatory approach in Europe and globally. We need a  proactive and pragmatic approach to sustainability and this project will develop the tools that industry  needs.” 

EBI invites all interested manufacturers, suppliers and stakeholders to partner with the project to reach  a common pathway for the industry’s sustainability challenge.