The NMMA is partnering with ICOMIA and EBI to create a worldwide life-cycle assessment framework.
As boaters, we recognize the importance of ensuring that the experiences boating provides can be enjoyed for generations to come. To do this, we must understand the greatest challenges and opportunities facing us, so we can move our industry forward. That means advancing critical research and educating key stakeholders on the best data-driven solutions, technologies and policies.
In late 2023, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in partnership with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations, launched Propelling Our Future — a global effort to provide guidance and resources to ensure the long-term resilience of the recreational boating industry. As we continue to advance Propelling Our Future, we recognize that its success hinges on continuing the momentum and global collaboration. Now, just over a year later, the NMMA is joining with ICOMIA and the European Boating Industry to develop the first globally aligned recreational marine life-cycle assessment framework.
An LCA is a systematic methodology used to understand how a product, process or service interacts with resources and systems throughout its entire journey. For the recreational marine industry, this means quantifying the environmental performance of a boat through every phase of its life, including raw materials, production, use, disposal and recycling. To put it simply, a global LCA is an essential next step to continue collectively moving our industry forward in lockstep.
With a universal, standardized LCA, the marine industry will be able to adopt a shared methodology for consistently measuring, communicating and self-regulating the environmental performance of recreational boats across a range of technologies at every stage of their life cycle; identify ways to optimize resource use, enhance performance and support sustainability goals; allow manufacturers to make informed decisions that strengthen their operations, supply chains and product design while meeting evolving market expectations and global regulations; and promote the harmonization of marine standards and regulatory requirements to create long-term innovation, growth and certainty for the global industry while recognizing the diversity of technologies, products and operations.
Once the methodology is created, we will need to harness the benefits of a globally aligned LCA to improve the environmental performance of our industry and set us up for long-term success. It will help us take a holistic approach to environmental performance improvement; take a data-driven approach that supports continuous improvement, innovation and investment to compare solutions and find the best path forward; identify opportunities for sustainable product design so technical departments and designers can make decisions throughout the entire supply chain; and inform regulations and industry standards, as well as facilitate conversations with key stakeholders, including customers and consumers, ensuring that sustainability remains a priority while maintaining performance and consumer confidence.
As the LCA is built, the NMMA, ICOMIA and EBI will convene a global task force with involvement from associations and companies around the world. The task force will consist of several committees focused on technical input and guidance; assessing and preparing for a successful rollout of the final LCA; industry education and training; and public policy/affairs and communications.
In addition to the methodology, the global recreational marine LCA project will ultimately include the development of standard inventory databases, tools, communications materials and educational initiatives to help manufacturers and other marine organizations that want to participate in this voluntary initiative. This is not a requirement for U.S. boatbuilders; however, if builders export to Europe, this methodology will be especially helpful and relevant for business.
This agreement comes at a critical time, as the marine industry faces increasing regulatory pressures and demand for sustainable solutions that contribute to long-term success. By leading the charge in the development of the LCA, we are safeguarding, fueling and accelerating our future together.
Frank Hugelmeyer is president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
