The 35th America's Cup Sustainability Charter

Three AC teams practicing in Bermuda © Rachel Fallon-Langdon

The America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA) and the six America's Cup teams – ORACLE TEAM USA, Land Rover BAR, Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis Racing, SoftBank Team Japan and Groupama Team France – have announced a Sustainability Charter, an opportunity the ACEA and the teams have embraced collectively in environmental responsibility and positive action, both within the sport of sailing and the worldwide marine industry.

All six teams are signatories to the Sustainability Charter and have signed up together to work to implement the ten points of the Charter as they prepare for and compete in the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda in 2017.

The ACEA has also committed itself to the Sustainability Charter's ten points. Although not a signatory to the document, the ACEA is actively supporting the agreement and is implementing it across its business.

The ten points of the Sustainability Charter are:

1. Eliminating single use plastics: Ocean plastics are an increasing problem and we see the opportunity and message we can convey by committing to identify opportunities to eliminate single use plastics. We will provide our teams with refillable hydration bottles, avoiding single use plastic drinks bottles.

2. Maximise reuse and recycling: Participating in events and setting up temporary bases can produce waste. We are committed to identifying opportunities to reduce our waste as far as reasonably possible. We are committed to identifying opportunities to reuse packaging and other materials and to recycle waste, where local recycling facilities are available.

3. Conserving water: We are committed to identifying opportunities to conserve water where reasonably possible, particularly in the launch and retrieval of boats. Where possible, we will use water saving butts and minimize the water used for boat wash down. Where possible, we will use rain water for the wash down of our boats.

4. Avoiding water pollution: We are committed to identifying opportunities to protect the waters in which we sail. Where possible, we will use environmentally friendly cleaning fluids for our boats, ensure safe refueling procedures and ensure spill-kits are available on support boats.

5. Reducing energy / carbon impact: We recognize that through the base, our travel and transport, boat construction and the fuel used in vehicles and support boats, we consume energy and have a carbon impact. We are committed to understanding our carbon footprint and identifying opportunities to reduce this, for example through efficient use of resources and material and product choices. We are committed to identifying opportunities to reduce our electricity consumption.

6. Protecting marine habitats: We are committed to identifying opportunities to minimize the risk that our boats and safety boats harm the marine environment. We will not knowingly anchor in areas of fragile marine habitats.

7. Being diverse and inclusive: We are committed to embracing diversity and being inclusive in our activities, including fan engagement, staffing and local outreach.

8. Supporting the local economy: Through our procurement of goods and services we will endeavor to support the local economy and local suppliers where we operate.

9. Communicating a better future: We recognize we are advocates for the oceans and our sport is connected to the natural environment. We will communicate our positive actions and look to inspire fans, suppliers and local communities in taking up our example.

10. Sustainability Champions: We will identify a Sustainability Champion in our own team to collaborate with other teams and ensure we are operating in accordance with this team charter.

About the America's Cup

The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851, when the yacht America, after which the trophy is named, beat the best of the British fleet in a race around the Isle of Wight, U.K. The trophy won on that day was donated in trust through a Deed of Gift and has since become a symbol of immense achievement. It is perhaps the hardest trophy in sport to win. In it's 165-year history, only four countries have managed to win the America's Cup.

The America's Cup is currently held by the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, U.S.A.. On September 25, 2013, its team, ORACLE TEAM USA, completed the biggest comeback in sports to retain the trophy it had first won in 2010.

On December 2, 2014, Bermuda was named as the home of the 35th America's Cup, with the iconic Great Sound as the race course area where the new America's Cup Class boats (15-meter, foiling, wing-sailed catamarans) from each competing nation will race for the America's Cup in May/June 2017.

The America's Cup is honoured to partner with Louis Vuitton as the title partner of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers and the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs. Louis Vuitton is also the presenting partner of the 35th America's Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton.

The America's Cup is also proud to be supported by BMW, Bremont, ORACLE, XL Catlin, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Gosling's, Sperry and Sail Racing; as well as: Appleby, BF&M, Butterfield, Butterfield & Vallis, Moët & Chandon, PwC and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and in New York by Brookfield Place.

America's Cup updates are also available on your mobile device. Go to the App Store to download the official America's Cup App.