The International Council of Marine Industry Associations has published a climate change policy paper, encouraging boatbuilders, marinas, OEM suppliers and other industry groups to help mitigate the growing threats and risks imposed by a changing environment.
Climate change is “exhibiting itself through issues such as changes in the frequency and intensity of sea-level rise, water temperatures, storms, waves, flood and drought; while the risk is anything that may be exposed to vulnerability, damage, or destruction; and that includes both risks to infrastructure and participation in boating,” the paper states.
“The declaration and policy were developed by the ICOMIA Sustainability Committee and its members over the last year to create awareness of the specific impacts, challenges and opportunities climate change presents to the marine industry and to educate, support and encourage {ICOMIA] members to take proactive steps to address, mitigate and adapt to the consequences of Climate Change,” said ICOMIA sustainability chair Darren Vaux.
Suggestions in the paper include initiating efforts to decarbonize the recreational boating sector; supporting climate change efforts such as risk assessments at marinas; and developing adaptation strategies that combine “structural, operational and institutional measures” for supply chains that allow for modification in the future, if needed.
“[We] are committed to a sustainable marine industry and to providing its members with the support required to enable the industry to innovate, adapt, implement and create resilient business practices for a sustainable future,” said Vaux.
Click here to download the policy paper.
