Sustainability-focused platform MarineShift360 has launched two new initiatives to help reduce the environmental impact of the maritime industry by expanding the use of its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool. Through its new tools, the Impact Accelerator and the University Outreach Program, the firm aims to drive sustainability by supporting current innovators and nurturing the talent that will lead efforts in the future.

The Impact Accelerator Program provides selected companies with free consultancy for one year to develop and scale sustainability projects that align with the industry's transition to net-zero emissions. Participants will have access to the LCA tool, project management support, sustainability experts and a funded internship to assist businesses with implementing sustainable solutions.

This programme can assist with individual sustainability-related goals, as Ollie Taylor, director at Marine Futures, explains: “Our enhanced tool helps businesses meet their sustainability goals while ensuring all of us who love the ocean can continue enjoying it responsibly.” Applications for the Impact Accelerator Program are open until 31 December, 2024. 

MarineShift360 aims to help businesses make informed decisions by assessing the environmental impacts of a product across multiple impact categories and identifying impact hotspots within the life cycle that should be reduced. It has been developed in partnership with 11th Hour Racing and Marine Futures and as up to 80 per cent of a product’s environmental impact is determined during the design phase, early identification of impact hotspots can lead to significant reductions later in the life cycle.

With growing pressure from businesses and consumers and tightening regulations, it’s becoming increasingly crucial for companies to accurately measure and mitigate their environmental impact. Using an LCA tool proactively rather than reactively can potentially help businesses stay ahead of these pressures. Jeremy Pochman, co-founder and CEO at 11th Hour Racing, states that by supporting MarineShift360, “We’re empowering companies to become leaders in driving sustainability across the industry.”

In addition, MarineShift360 will launch its University Outreach Programme in 2025. MarineShift360 is working with academic institutions to give students from graduate to PhD level free access to the LCA tool, as well as dedicated training and support. By equipping the next generation with these tools and resources, MarineShift360 hopes to inspire them and strengthen their ability to tackle the marine industry’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Supporting rising talent is critical to ensuring the pace of sustainability efforts continues to accelerate. By developing their skills now, we can help them tackle the growing challenges in the future, when, unless we act now, it will be more important than ever to reduce the industry's harmful effect on the planet.

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