YCCS and Sustainability

YCCS and Sustainability

In 2017, the year of the Club’s 50^th anniversary, together with the launch of the One Ocean environmental project, YCCS volunteered to undergo a sustainability audit by SDA Bocconi Sustainability Lab. The audit assessed how sustainable the Club’s activities were and provided feedback on how to optimise them. The following are the steps YCCS has taken so far in its attempt to be ever more environmentally friendly.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda building:

• 100% of the electricity used at the YCCS structure, the Sports Centre and the Race Observatory comes from renewable resources;
• In 2018 a lighting system was installed in the large bar area exclusively using LED lights (330 7 watt bulbs) and reducing estimated consumption from approximately 15 kWh to 1.5 kWh;
• In 2019 a lighting system was installed in the following areas: hall/reception, room corridors, spa, Azzurra lounge, VIP entrance, administrative offices and employee canteen. It uses only LED lights (800 4.6 watt bulbs compared to the previous 35 watts) reducing estimated consumption from 25 kWh to 2.5 kWh;
• In the suites a new lighting system (which included the installation of LED or energy saving bulbs) is activated using a card that automatically controls switching on and off;
• In the car park underneath Piazza Azzurra, opposite dock "C", a fountain dispensing drinking water has been installed and is available to all free of charge to encourage the reuse of bottles and containers; 
• Staff areas within the structure were equipped with drinking water dispensers whose containers are recycled and reused in other production processes; 
• All single use plastic products were replaced with paper pulp and PLA, a compostable and biodegradable corn polymer;
• Ceramic plates, metal cutlery and polycarbonate glasses are used in the staff canteen;
• Dishwashing and surface detergents are biodegradable and do not contribute to the eutrophication of marine waters;
• All paper used in the hotel and office structures comes from sustainable sources or recycling processes;
• All materials used during after-race refreshments (plates, glasses, cutlery and napkins) are biodegradable and compostable;
• The flags used during YCCS sporting events are made from recycled nautical polyester;
• In 2023, the major YCCS regattas (the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, The Nations Trophy- Swan One Design, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Scandinavian Gold Cup and the World Championship of the International 5.5-metre Class) were awarded ‘Gold Clean Regattas’ certification by Sailors for the Sea;
• In 2024 the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the J/24 Range Rover European Championship achieved "Platinum Clean Regattas certification", the highest awarded by Sailors for the Sea.

YCCS Sports Centre:

• Card-actioned distribution stations for effective control of electricity and water were installed. These give users real consumption figures and raise awareness of any wastefulness;
• A drip irrigation system was implemented in order to reduce water consumption;
• Recycling stations made entirely of wood were also added.
• In 2019 the building was upgraded for energy consumption with new energy-saving windows and doors and installed and an LED lighting system implemented throughout. The building will be used for accommodation for the sailing school.

YCCS Sailing School:

• Lessons on the safeguard of the sea have been introduced at the YCCS Sailing School.