Will Greta Thunberg trade her sailing boat for a superyacht? A new trend for sustainable luxury vessels means that may happen sooner than you think
The world’s 300 biggest superyachts produce close to the same carbon footprint as the African nation of Burundi – but there may be one that even an environmentalist would find both appealing and sustainable
There might soon come a day when Swedish eco-crusader Greta Thunberg – the 17-year-old who is unabashedly taking on world leaders who are in denial about global warming and climate change – will swap her zero-emission sailing boat for a superyacht.
A sustainable superyacht, that is.
A study released by New York’s Sage Publications in May 2019, titled “Measuring the Ecological Impact of the Wealthy: Excessive Consumption, Ecological Disorganization, Green Crime and Justice”, points to owners of ultra-luxe vessels as some of the biggest culprits in the world’s growing carbon emissions crisis – that’s 300 superyachts, each more than 100 metres long, needing more than 121 litres of oil a year. They account for 284 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually – nearly as much as the tiny African nation of Burundi produces: 297 million kg.
All that might change soon – yacht makers are incorporating eco-friendly features into their craft, including hybrid engines and lightweight material that have an impact on fuel consumption.
Even Thunberg – who in 2019 famously sailed from her home country Sweden to the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019 in New York on her environmentally-friendly boat – admits it would be unrealistic to expect every Earth-loving person to give up gas-guzzling planes, trains and automobiles. While some car companies, such as Tesla, seek to balance out environmental impact with comfort and luxury, the auto industry is still struggling to find a solution for more sustainable battery alternatives. And when it comes to 100-metre yachts built for luxury and speed, the challenge is even more daunting.
Giovanna Vitelli, vice-president of the Italian Azimut Benetti Group, says environmental impact is an increasingly pressing concern among yacht owners. “[Superyachts] are emotional products, they’re at the top of the pyramid of luxury. But the world is changing,” she explains. “If you look around, this kind of [excessive] opulence probably no longer suits customers’ taste, and that’s a good thing.”