Port of Dover Regatta awarded platinum environmental certification

Dover Regatta © Port of Dover

The Port of Dover has been awarded a platinum sustainable certification for the outstanding 2022 Dover Regatta, held in August of this year and delivered in partnership with Destination Dover.

The Clean Regatta certification is the world's leading environmental accreditation for water-based events, awarded to those that exhibit excellent examples of sustainable best practices by Sailors for Seas, who empower the sailing and boating industry to operate more sustainably.

Returning for the first time since 2019, the 2022 Port of Dover Regatta was a storming success with an estimated 15,000 people from the local community in attendance throughout the day. This was also the first Regatta since the launch of the Port's ambitious sustainability targets earlier in 2022. Not only is the Port of Dover striving to become carbon net zero (scope 1 and 2) by 2025, and to be carbon net zero by 2030 (including defined Scope 3 - all other emissions associated with activity), the Port holds rigorous continual development targets, including one to deliver zero impact events.

Sustainable event management was deployed for the 2022 Regatta and an array of 'best practice' approaches were adopted to deliver an entirely environmentally-friendly regatta. A sustainability report was also produced, which resulted in the platinum-level certification.

As with all sustainable events, waste management was pivotal. Support for vendors was available from the Port's environment team and the Port of Dover already ensures that all waste in bins, including those along the seafront, is recycled or used to generate energy.

All single-use plastics were eliminated where possible; free, reusable water bottles were handed out at the event and water refill points were accessible around the marina. Financial incentives were also available to vendors who eliminated plastic waste. Furthermore, all signage, as well as banners and bunting, were made from 100% recyclable materials and will be reused for future regattas.

All food vendors and equipment hired came from local sources, to reduce the distance travelled to produce the event and support the Dover community through this event and locally-produced food was encouraged. A park-and-ride option from Dover's cruise terminal was also available throughout the day, to keep the town free of traffic and the recently established Click2Cycle scheme in Dover allowed the community to cycle to and from the event.

Community involvement and education are also taken into account by Sailors for the Seas when awarding this certification. The environment team at the Port of Dover had a stand at the Regatta throughout the day; engaging with the community and local businesses on the Port's initiatives towards decarbonisation and other development targets. The team also ran a wildlife game to educate local children on 6 different species found at the Port of Dover, including the grey seal.

Multiple local charities also had a presence at the event, including the Dover Outreach Centre, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership. Excess funds raised throughout the day went to Dover Foodbank and the RNLI, with each charity receiving a £3000 donation.

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said: "After two years of pandemic restrictions, we at the Port and our event partners, Destination Dover, were delighted to see the return of the Regatta and to welcome 15,000 people to the Seafront for a celebration of the community and Dover's maritime heritage.

Alongside our carbon net zero targets, the Port of Dover aims to ensure our events have zero negative impacts, so we are delighted that our 2022 Regatta has been awarded Platinum Clean Regatta status. We will continue to participate in hosting a clean regatta and will continually look to improve on the best practices set out this year.

Thank you to all our visitors and sponsors for attending and supporting the return of the Port of Dover Regatta. We look forward to seeing you again next year for another sustainable event!".