The leading water sports manufacturer, renowned for designing this year’s new iQFOiL Olympic Windsurfing Class, won the award for turning their environmental impact upside down.
In collaboration with the International Olympic Committee, BBC Green Sports Awards, and UN Global Climate Action, the Sport Positive Awards aim to celebrate those taking a lead in using the power of sport to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time, namely, climate change, environmental justice and biodiversity.
Starboard was recognised not only for its work in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, land restoration, and ocean protection, but for its impressive achievement in creating a positive impact too. Committed to innovation and the belief that neutrality is no-longer, the company is going above and beyond to protect the planet for future generations.
From founding their own VERRA certified beach cleaning and community support project, the Plastic Offset Program, to planting enough mangroves with Worldview International Foundation to sequester 10X their entire company emissions, Starboard is demonstrating the possibilities that both sport and business have to make a positive impact.
Svein Rasmussen, Starboard CEO and former Olympic Windsurfer, described the company’s approach,
‘It’s all about progress, ambitions and sharing … We’ve proved that leading businesses and even Olympic Sports can become positive for the planet.’
With that, Rasmussen is referring to Starboard’s collaborations with other sporting organizations, such as the Professional Windsurfing Association, International Canoe Federation and World Sailing. Most prominently, however, is Starboard’s action as the founder and equipment supplier for the iQFOiL Olympic Class, which made its debut in Paris this year as one of the most environmentally progressive events at the Olympics. Read more here.
(Photos credits Starboard and Jesús Renedo @SailngEnergy)
The awards are testament to the significant environmental action being taken across the sporting world, recognising a range of accomplishments. The climate-impact reduction category had some strong nominees, such as the acclaimed Ocean Race. However, the independent panel of expert judges, including prominent figures from UEFA, Formula E, and the NBA, selected Starboard as the first ever winner of the title.
Celebrations continued with Amara Witchithhong, Thailand’s first female World Champion Windsurfer, devoted environmental advocate, and long term partner of Starboard, who also won the title of Regional Leader – Asia. The inspiring former Olympian escaped a childhood of extreme poverty and has dedicated her life to engaging her local community to protect the ocean, which she describes as her home.
For both Amara and Starboard, to stand out and be recognised across the world of sports is a truly momentous achievement. In spite of the watersport sector’s relatively small fandom and the company’s modest market-share, Starboard and Amara have proven that it’s not a question of size, but of motivation.
Moving forwards, the team at Starboard has set its ambitions on supporting others to take similar action and seek to catalyze meaningful change across the industry.
If you’d like to join our action or are interested to find out more, contact eco@star-board.com
