by Water Revolution Foundation | 1 Jul 2025 | Press Releases
Amsterdam, 1 July 2025 – The Water Revolution Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Aino-Leena Grapin as its new Chair of the Board, effective 1 July 2025. Aino succeeds Henk de Vries III, who has been a driving force behind the Foundation since its inception.
Aino joined the Foundation’s Board in March 2025, following her four year chairing role of the Sustainable Yacht Design Taskforce, and now steps into this prominent leadership role as part of a thoughtfully planned succession strategy designed to ensure continuity and momentum in our mission. With over 25 years of experience growing and leading organisations across the art, luxury, and technology sectors, Aino brings a wealth of strategic insight and a proven commitment to sustainability.
As Chief Executive of Winch Design since 2016, Aino has led the company through a significant evolution, including its transition to employee ownership in 2021. Her background in strategy consulting, combined with her deep passion for sustainable innovation, makes her an ideal leader to steer Water Revolution Foundation into its next chapter.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at the Water Revolution Foundation, continuing to build on the exceptional work of Henk de Vries III whose leadership has laid a strong foundation for meaningful change in our industry. At Winch Design, sustainability is a core pillar of our vision, and we believe that design must be a force for positive change. I look forward to working with the Foundation and its partners to drive meaningful progress on the 2050 roadmap we have now set ourselves as a target to protect our oceans and planet for generations to come” states Aino Grapin.
Honouring a Visionary Leader
We extend our deepest gratitude to Henk de Vries III for his outstanding leadership and vision. As a founding chairman, Henk played an instrumental role in shaping the Foundation’s mission and strategic direction. In recognition of his enduring legacy, he has been awarded the honorary title of Emeritus Chair.
“More than six years ago now, Dr. Vienna Eleuteri sparked brightly with inspiration for a cleaner future for superyachting. I am very happy and proud to have been part of this extraordinary journey. With confidence I hand the reins to Aino Grapin, who will lead our Foundation with renewed ambition and vision” states Henk de Vries.
Gradual Succession, Strong Governance
Recognising the importance of stability and continuity, Water Revolution Foundation has implemented a gradual succession scheme for its founding members. This strategy ensures steady leadership renewal while preserving institutional knowledge and board effectiveness.
We will continue to announce new board appointments as they are confirmed, reinforcing our commitment to governance excellence and long-term impact.
Leadership Continuity
As part of our ongoing governance practices, Vice Chair Vienna Eleuteri, one of the Foundation’s founders, has been granted an exemption from the standard term policy. Her essential role in representing the Foundation in the global scientific and sustainability communities is reviewed and renewed every three years.
With a strong and evolving leadership team, Water Revolution Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate sustainability in the yachting sector through collaboration, science-based solutions, and regenerative practices.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 17 Jun 2025 | Press Releases
Following the monumental third edition of its strategic business leaders gathering last month, the foundation publishes the Roadmap 2050 setting quantified environmental targets with five-year increments to reach net-zero by 2050. The way it is set up engages all yachting sector stakeholders and follows the approach of a yacht’s life cycle of Design, Build, Operation and Refit.
Water Revolution Foundation is announcing the Roadmap 2050: Towards Regenerative Yachting. This roadmap represents a collective, yachting sector-wide effort to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 latest. Developed through collaboration, following the Life Cycle Approach and based on a unique data exercise, the Roadmap covers every stage of a yacht’s life cycle—Design, Build, Operation, and Refit—with clear, measurable targets set in five-year increments. The Roadmap provides a path towards net-zero for both product and process.
United through a specific environmental strategy for the yachting sector
With overwhelming support for the Roadmap 2050 from the great mix of business leaders present at the third edition of the foundation’s strategic platform for top 60 industry CEOs, last month in Lerici – Italy, hosted by Sanlorenzo, the foundation calls upon all industry stakeholders to embark on this collective journey together. Robert van Tol, executive director of the foundation explains: “The Roadmap 2050 is a compass to navigate together through what are, undeniably, unchartered waters. Yachting can and should be pro-active and openly commit to net-zero, by latest 2050. Coordination and collaboration is key to accomplish this.”
Building on the momentum of two previous gatherings in Hamburg (2023) and Amsterdam (2024), this year’s edition marked a significant shift—from awareness to implementation. The focus turned to embedding regenerative principles into operations, investment decisions, and lifecycle strategies across the full yachting value chain.
Renowned environmental advocate Céline Cousteau opened the third edition with a powerful keynote, that underscored the intrinsic connection between humanity and the ocean. Drawing from her intergenerational legacy and frontline experience in marine conservation, Cousteau’s message resonated deeply with an industry uniquely dependent on ocean health.
“Regenerative practices in the yachting industry are essential for the health of our oceans and the well-being of future generations. This industry possesses the power, influence, and resources to lead by example. If yachting can transform, no other sector will have an excuse not to follow,” stated Cousteau, receiving a standing ovation.
While the Roadmap goes beyond current regulatory thresholds, it remains voluntary—empowering the industry to chart an optimal course. It is a sector-specific environmental strategy, uniting us all, giving clear directions for companies and individuals active in any of the four life cycle stages. Through quantified targets priorities are set and guidance provided where to work towards and what to focus on. It is aimed to spark innovation, forward thinking, competition, collaboration and standardisation. Suspended EU reporting requirements and IMO thresholds for vessels still over >5,000 GT for the moment should not result in “wait and see”, but in extra motivation to utilise the opportunity to embark on a yacht-specific path towards net-zero now we still can.
The white paper of the third business leaders event is available here for transparency and broader industry engagement.
The projected journey
To define the 2025 baseline, Water Revolution Foundation gathered data from Designers, Builders, Operators, and Refit yards. This data was used to estimate the current shares of impact and set proportional targets—measured in percentage reductions rather than absolute numbers—for each life cycle stage. This marks the first step in a process that will become increasingly detailed with broader industry participation.
Reader guide: The Roadmap visual shows the current estimated negative impact division among the four life cycle stages in 2025 below the x-axis, and their declining trajectories towards 2050. Above the x-axis is the mirror, representing the required positive impact investment in carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration and contaminated soil & water, to neutralise the negative impact. This can and should be done at any point in time to reach net-zero asap. Robert van Tol clarifies: “Compensation is not the first thing to do, but certainly should be the last thing. Reduction efforts of negative impacts should always come first.” When going beyond compensating the negative impact, one reaches a nature-positive effect.
To facilitate effective compensation efforts, the Ocean Assist programme will offer a structured investment mechanism for ocean restoration. This yachting-specific blue finance approach is set to maximise financial and non-financial resources to support nature-based solutions and aid the global effort to restore ecological impacts. The Ocean Assist programme enables the yachting community to make measurable, regenerative contributions to global ocean agendas—redefining the relationship between economic growth and ocean well-being. More about this later this summer, when this yachting sector-specific ocean conservation programme will be launched.
Dr. Vienna Eleuteri – initiator & vice chair of Water Revolution Foundation adds: “The Roadmap is a shared promise—to each other, to the ocean, and to future generations. A promise of transparency, collaboration, and real progress.”
What is next?
To effectively track progress, yachting needs a centralised, standardised data monitoring system. This system should be designed for collective benefit—allowing participants to track their own progress, benchmark it against their peer group and as such contribute to monitor the overall sector trajectory toward net-zero.
Selecting the right KPIs, determining the scope for the data submission to enable comparison, utilising existing sources, and setup a frequent data collection mechanism for monitoring is what needs to happen within 2025 with a critical mass of industry players. For each life cycle stage (design, build, operation and refit), Water Revolution Foundation will utilise its current or setting up new roundtables to progress. All related trade associations are encouraged to embed the Roadmap targets in their agendas and are most welcome to join these roundtables. Signing up is not a contract, rather a moral statement and a true unified approach.
Further, it’s important to remember that these life cycle stages are not isolated. One very much influences the other. Yet, we need to divide the pie of impact in order to allocate and take responsibility for it. This awareness and ownership of impact is expected to result in much better informed decisions and environmental innovation in each and every corner of the yachting sector.
Vienna Eleuteri concludes: “The Roadmap signals to the world that our industry is not waiting for change—we are leading it.”
Water Revolution Foundation will be organising a webinar to explain the Roadmap 2050 and onboard the wider yachting community on this collective journey. Please register here, further information will be shared shortly.
by Laurie Foulon | 7 Jan 2025 | Press Releases
Water Revolution Foundation is elated to start the year 2025 on an empowering note, encouraging our industry to take one more step towards its collaborative transition: this time, by an open letter to Yacht Owners and Family Offices.
The letter, in the form of four steps to support one’s “Yachting Resolutions”, is geared towards positive action on board and on shore: from measuring impact, improving the yacht’s operations by empowering Captains and crews and investigate alternative fuels, to committing a small percentage towards ocean conversation.
The four steps, designed for Yacht Owners, are aimed as guidelines and always collaborative (from YETI to the Environmental Crew Guidelines). They cover the Water Revolution Foundation’s roadmap to 2030 by pioneering a regenerative approach for superyachts.
You may access the full version of the letter, with interactive resources, at www.waterrevolutionfoundation.org/open-letter.
Your support in sharing this significant step forward in advancing environmental responsibility in yachting is greatly appreciated.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 21 Nov 2024 | Press Releases
In an exciting milestone, culminating five years of invaluable industry-wide collaboration, the YETI software tool was officially launched during METSTRADE 2024. Coinciding with the Foundation’s 6th anniversary, this remarkable development will enable the yachting industry to assess, compare and improve its environmental footprint.
A celebrated industry debut
Presented by Water Revolution Foundation’s Executive Director, Robert van Tol, and Technical Director, Hanna Dąbrowska, YETI’s release captivated the attention of key yachting stakeholders in the METSTRADE Theatre.
A premiere demo of the software highlighted key distinctions between YETI Lite and YETI Pro, the two versions now available to users on a web-based platform developed by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN). YETI Lite is a free, open-source, entry-level tool designed to help non-technical users gain a basic understanding of their yacht’s environmental footprint. It provides estimated performance scores with up to 90% accuracy, based on Gross Tonnage and Load Waterline Length (LWL). Ideal for raising internal awareness, YETI Lite serves as an informational resource but is not suitable for making official claims.
YETI Pro, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive assessment tool for technical professionals, offering a full, in-depth analysis based on well-to-wake impact of energy carriers and reference lines to benchmark yacht performance. With an extensive dashboard reflecting assessment results, users can explore and test potential solutions for reducing environmental impact. This version achieves higher accuracy than YETI Lite and includes third-party verification options for official scores.
One step closer to zero
A collaborative effort between renowned shipyards, naval architecture studios, and research institutes has resulted in the development of this comprehensive framework to measure a yacht’s environmental performance in the operational phase of its life cycle.
This voluntary assessment tool provides both the yachting industry and yacht owners with a clear understanding of their vessel’s current ecological impact and the sources of that impact, serving as a valuable decision support system for setting sustainability ambitions in new yacht builds and guiding existing vessels (power and sail) toward meaningful environmental upgrades. To ensure industry-wide usability, a working group of various target users supported the tool developers to create an intuitive interface making YETI accessible to shipyards, designers, engineers, captains, crews, marinas, financiers, brokers, and suppliers.
How YETI differentiates itself
Moving away from traditional sustainability narratives of shame and blame, YETI allows users to input their own data and take control of their environmental impact. It provides a clear direction, shows the effect of potential solutions, and offers valuable education to users while serving as a robust risk-analysis tool.
The YETI method is not intended as an alternative for legislative developments such as EEDI, EEXI, CII, etc., going further than CO2 impact by taking a holistic Life Cycle Approach. It goes beyond regulatory compliance to deliver a sector-specific, transparent methodology tailored to the unique challenges of the yachting industry.
“Transparency is the cornerstone of meaningful change. By delivering clear, honest measurements and actionable insights, YETI empowers the yachting industry to move beyond compliance, take responsibility, and make informed decisions that drive real environmental progress. With a comprehensive view of a yacht’s impact, we are confident that YETI will provide the clarity and insights needed to navigate toward a future-proof yachting industry,” said Dąbrowska.
A new environmental metric for yachting
YETI introduces a new term for the industry to express its environmental impact: EcoPoints. No less than 18 different impact categories are evaluated and summarised into one single score. This innovative scoring system allows for easy comparison of the environmental impact of various products, calculating the various effects of parameters such as CO2, CO, HC, NOx, Ammonia, & PM 2.5 in one single number. Specific impacts are also reported separately, to allow for transparency and steering on a selection of them (e.g. CO2 equivalent, which is a common focus for regulatory bodies).
The future of YETI
YETI’s method is currently proposed in ISO TS23099 to become an industry standard and common benchmark. The aim is for the entire global fleet to be calculated using YETI Pro, with scores validated by a third-party for official certification, ensuring complete transparency.
“The launch of YETI software marks the dawn of a new era for yachting — one where actionable insights drive progress. By providing a clear, reliable framework for assessing and improving environmental performance, YETI offers a clear, data-driven pathway to achieve measurable change. Together, we can create a yachting industry that thrives while safeguarding the ocean we rely on for generations to come,” said Vienna Eleuteri, Vice-Chair & Initiator of the Foundation.
You may access the software here: https://yachtfootprint.com/
For those attending METSTRADE, a YETI Pro demo is available at Water Revolution’s stand (Hall 13.104, Elicium building). Additionally, a YETI webinar will take place on Wednesday, 27 November, 15:00 – 15:45 CET, offering a deep dive into the software and its potential for driving impactful improvements. Register now at https://yetiwebinar.rsvpify.com/
by Water Revolution Foundation | 26 Sep 2024 | Press Releases
Unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show, the latest edition of the Designers’ Protocol sets a new standard for environmental yacht design, offering actionable principles and detailed recommendations for every new yacht project.
The result of a collective initiative spearheaded by Dickie Bannenberg of Bannenberg & Rowell Design in collaboration with Water Revolution Foundation’s Sustainable Yacht Design Taskforce, this new and improved document outlines critical considerations for yacht owners and designers alike, emphasising the importance of making environmentally-conscious choices from the initial phase of design.
Industry expert perspectives
A panel discussion between participating yacht designers, naval architects, and industry professionals took place to offer insights into their contributions within the Protocol. Moderated by Francesca Webster, Editor in Chief of SuperYacht Times, representatives on the panel included Dan Wupperman, Head of Group Initial Design at Espen Oeino International, Tanno Weeda, Head of Design at De Voogt Naval Architects, and Matthew Anzardo, Global Segment Lead at AkzoNobel. The discussion highlighted that yacht design demands a collaborative effort, where designers, naval architects, and suppliers must join forces to address challenges and merge their unique expertise.
By emphasising holistic design, energy efficiency, and innovation within the Protocol, the industry can advance toward environmental sustainability: “We need to make clients aware of what is possible in a comprehensive way and move forward accordingly together. Those who don’t join us will be left behind,” Weeda remarked.
Clear recommendations across nine key areas
The document covers nine key subjects associated with yacht design, offering both broad and specific recommendations. It begins with general guidance on the Life Cycle Approach, operational profiles, and energy sources, before delving into more detailed considerations such as hotel load and A/C systems, glazing treatments, and hull colour. Contributions from industry leaders including AkzoNobel, Bannenberg & Rowell Design, De Voogt Naval Architects, Espen Oeino International, Eckersley O’Callaghan, RWD, and Viken Group have shaped this comprehensive guide.
Designers as key drivers of change
Yacht designers hold a unique responsibility in guiding clients toward more sustainable choices. As one of the first points of contact, they are uniquely positioned to influence decisions that can lead to the development of eco-friendlier yachts. The Protocol empowers designers with practical knowledge that enable them to advocate for and ensure that environmental responsibility is embedded in every new project from the outset.
“In general, most clients have been engaged by the ideas within the Protocol,” Wupperman mentioned. “While some were initially uninterested, once we start demonstrating the benefits and taking them through the process step by step, it opens the door to conversations. We bring in the ideas, engage the shipyard, and ultimately convince the client to do a little bit more.”
A unified effort
The Designers’ Protocol represents a collaborative effort across various sectors of the yachting industry, bringing together the expertise of suppliers, naval architects, engineers, and design studios. This cross-industry cooperation of pooled knowledge and expertise represents a crucial united vision for advancing environmental responsibility in yachting. “It’s not one magic bullet – the whole industry must work together to make yachting more sustainable,” said Anzardo. Summing it up, Wupperman added, “The Protocol’s aim is to bring all designers together to solve many different challenges collectively – not just one project. And it’s been a lot of fun getting to know other companies and their perspectives as we all work towards the same goal.”
Access the protocol here.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 25 Sep 2024 | Press Releases
Water Revolution Foundation and Seastainable Yachting are proud to announce the launch of Version 2 of the Environmental Crew Guidelines at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. The updated edition builds upon the success of the inaugural version, offering an enhanced toolkit to support the yachting industry’s transition towards more environmentally-friendly operations.
The Environmental Crew Guidelines represent a significant step forward in the collective effort to reduce the environmental impact of the global superyacht fleet. These enhanced guidelines, developed for and by crew, now provide more practical and actionable advice for implementing better practices across all facets of onboard operations.
Enhanced usability and updated content
The updated version reflects feedback from valued industry supporters and crew members after implementing practices highlighted in the first version of the guidelines onboard. Improved usability was an essential element of development, therefore this version has been restructured and reformatted while made more concise for easier comprehension.
Alongside the restructuring, visual aids in the form of infographics have been created for crew to utilise more interactive resources when following the guidelines. Further information outlining the latest environmental practices has also been included within the content.
Robert van Tol, executive director of the Water Revolution Foundation, says: “The overwhelmingly positive response to the first version of the guidelines demonstrated the yachting industry’s commitment to sustainability. With Version 2, we’re providing crews with even more tools and knowledge to make a real difference in their daily operations.”
Collaboration at the core
In light of this new launch, the team behind the guidelines emphasise that, like in the first version, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to making positive change. These guidelines are not a prescriptive way of doing things onboard but a free, open-to-all resource to help provide direction and drive momentum to make positive changes. Feedback is once again continually welcomed; this iterative approach ensures the resource remains relevant, practical and effective in driving sustainable practices.
The element of collaboration continues to be a strong driving force, with many industry professionals eager to be involved. Water Revolution Foundation has embraced this through its integration with the Seastainable Yachting platform and community, which is a non-profit, purpose-driven platform to help guide the industry toward more environmentally-friendly operational practices. The Seastainable Yachting platform will facilitate all information and resources associated with these guidelines, establishing a central hub for crew and industry professionals looking to collaborate.
Continued support
The guidelines, initiated by MB92, continue to be supported by industry leaders, including Amico & Co., S/Y Black Pearl, Burgess, Da Gama Maritime, Damen Yachting, Divergent Yachting, Feadship, Fraser, Heesen Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Northrop & Johnson, Oceanco, Pantaenius, Safe Harbor Marinas, Sanlorenzo, Monaco Yacht Show, M/Y Savannah, Superyacht Services Guide, The Crew Network, The OM, Virtual Pursers, Y.CO and YPI Crew, all underscoring the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Download today
Version 2 of the Environmental Crew Guidelines is now available for free download, reflecting the initiative’s collaborative spirit. Yacht crews, management companies, and industry professionals are encouraged to implement these guidelines and contribute to the ongoing development of environmental operational practices in yachting.
If you have further questions, want to share feedback or actively contribute to the ongoing development of the guidelines, get in touch with us at ecocrew@waterrevolutionfoundation.org.
Access the guidelines.
