Dear readers,

The international climate conference is currently taking place in Azerbaijan. For a fortnight, thousands of delegates from all over the world are negotiating in the capital Baku on how to proceed with environmental and climate protection. However, the high-level conference is taking place under difficult circumstances. After all, it is well known that the global climate is not in good shape.

New and worrying facts also paint a bleak picture: from January to September 2024 alone, the global average temperature was 1.54 degrees above pre-industrial levels. A sad record, as the World Meteorological Organisation reports. And: 2024 is expected to be the warmest year since records began. Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election also casts a shadow over the climate conference. Ambitious climate protection on the part of the USA is not to be expected in the coming years. On the contrary: Trump has already announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement once he takes office. So the red alert is on. Anyone who still doubts this is deaf in both ears and blind in both eyes.

In order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by at least 40 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2050, say climate experts. Effective and far-reaching measures are needed now. And everyone is equally challenged: Business, industry, politics and society.

Today, the yacht building industry is also facing the challenge of making the production and operation of yachts more environmentally friendly and sustainable. The maritime sector contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, whether through the operation of yachts with fossil fuels or through the construction of boats from materials whose production and disposal can also harm the environment.

The good news is that there are already many innovative approaches and technologies in the yacht building industry to further reduce the industry's ecological footprint. One important step is the switch to emission-free drives such as electric motors or hybrid systems. The use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and the development of solar-powered yachts are also becoming increasingly important. In addition, the use of sustainable materials such as recycled aluminium or biodegradable and reusable plastic compounds is becoming increasingly important in yacht construction.

Manufacturers can also have a positive influence on the design, e.g. by developing fast and powerful sailing boats that allow you to sail longer and more efficiently without an engine, even in light winds. Sailing power and performance are therefore also topics that can and are being strongly promoted, and not just for reasons of sportiness and regatta success.

• Greenboats: Boats made from flax and components for Boris Herrmann
• "Losing is not an option" - Boris Herrmann on sustainability in motorsport

The other side of the coin: greenwashing! Some manufacturers and suppliers only like sustainability as a marketing tool, without really taking any in-depth measures. There is a lot of talk about "green" innovations, but these are often just cosmetic measures that shipyards and brands use to polish up their image.

• Sustainability: How green is sailing?

We will see whether the yacht building industry is really in a position to bring about ecological change in the long term. Or whether sustainability in this industry is perhaps just a trend that sells well but has little effect. In the end, this area of tension will show how seriously the industry takes its responsibility towards the environment.

Michael Good

YACHT editor

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