University Sustainability Challenge

The Green Blue

The Green Blue is the joint environment programme created by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine launched in 2005 at the Southampton Boat Show. We help boat users, boating businesses, clubs and training centres to reduce their impact on coastal and inland waters to keep them in great shape for now and the future. The Green Blue raises awareness, supports practical projects, runs bespoke outreach activities and offers easy to follow advice to make boating in the UK as sustainable as possible.

The Green Blue - launched at the Southampton Boat Show on 19^th September 2005 - is the environmental awareness programme set up by the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine. Its mission is to promote the sustainable use of coastal and inland waters by boating and watersports participants, as well as the sustainable operation and development of the recreational boating industry.

The Green Blue's objective is to help boaters and boating businesses to minimise their impact on the environment by raising awareness amongst industry and users; reducing harmful discharges; reducing environmental disturbance; and encouraging sustainable choices.

2017 Challenge winners receive their awards from Kate Fortnam of Green Blue and Peter Saxton, BUSA President at the 2017 Dinghy Show

Bangor USC demonstrate their reusable water bottles

University Sailing Sustainability Challenge (USSC) 26-27

Dear Club Captain/Committee,

I hope you are well.

On behalf of The Green Blue and BUSA, I am delighted to invite your club to take part in the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2026-27. The challenge is designed to support University Sailing Clubs in making their activities more environmentally sustainable, while recognising and celebrating their achievements. The challenge has been running since 2015 and continues to grow, with a record of 20 universities completing it last year.

The challenge officially begins on 28 September 2026, and getting involved is simple:

Confirm your club's interest in participating.
Nominate a Sustainability Officer (if you have not already done so).
Email [email protected] to register your club.

Please find more information in the attached invitation.

I look forward to hearing from you and welcoming your club to the challenge this year.

If you need any more information, please let me know!

Thank you,

Alice

Environmental Programme Officer

Royal Yachting Association – Green Blue

Tel: 07435738195

Exeter University Biodiversity

University Sustainability Challenge 2019-20

Now in it’s fifth year, the Green Blue’s University Sailing Sustainability Challenge expanded yet again in 2019-20, with 14 universities getting involved. A joint initiative between the RYA and British Marine, and supported by BUSA, the annual challenge sees universities across the UK improve their club’s sustainability through activities such as litter picking, promoting reusable water bottle use and using the “Check, Clean, Dry” process to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Newcastle wins University Sustainability Challenge

Newcastle University Sailing and Yachting Club were the overall winners of the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2018-19, presented by BUSA President, Peter Saxton, on behalf of the RYA and British Marine’s joint environment initiative ‘The Green Blue’. Swansea University Sailing Club clinched second place, and Dundee University Sailing Club, the University of Sussex Sailing Club and the University of East Anglia Sailing Club were in joint 3rd place.

Sustainability Challenge 2018-19 and 2019-20 – celebration and anticipation

After all their work through the winter – auditing their environment, acquiring reusable bottles, installing spill kits, demonstrating ‘spill, clean and dry’, halting the spread of alien species, promoting good environmental practice, working with host clubs, team building……...the winners celebrate the experience....and the winning. Meanwhile, The Green Blue announces a 2019-20 Challenge.