In the spirit of innovation and progress, the first European Sustainable Boating Roundtable was organised at the 63^rd Genoa International Boat Show, with the aim to heralda new era for sustainable practices in the yachting and boating industry. The event, organised by EBI in collaboration with Confindustria Nautica and Regione Liguria, made an impact as industry professionals, policymakers, journalists, innovators, and academics gathered for spirited discussions.

The Roundtable set a course for discussions that set the path towards sustainable boating: The key takeaways from the discussion were:

• Technology and Safety First: Fabio Planamente, representing Cantiere del Pardo S.p.A., emphasised that sustainability becomes truly worthwhile when technology reaches advanced and safe levels. He reminded attendees that safety should remain a paramount concern in any sustainability endeavour. Planamente also shed light on ongoing research collaborations with universities, demonstrating a commitment to exploring new possibilities.
• Measuring Sustainability: Robert Marx, president of EBI, outlined the industry's efforts to make sustainability quantifiable. The goal is to develop a system that can assess the sustainable footprint of each boat, reflecting the industry's responsiveness to customer demands for eco-conscious options.
• Collaboration is Key: Marco Campomenosi, a Member of the European Parliament, stressed the importance of collaboration and compromise in fostering sustainability. As the industry explores cutting-edge technologies such as hydrogen and solar panels, innovation could reshape the entire sector.
• The Power of the Industry: Massimo Pronio, for the European Commission Representation in Italy, acknowledged the industry's ability to drive change. Pronio emphasised the need to move away from fossil fuels and recognized climate change as an urgent concern that requires collective action.
• Mobilizing Capital: Brando Benifei, also Member of the European Parliament, highlighted the importance of economic efforts to adapt production methods and achieve sustainability goals. He called for collaboration and a collective commitment to the green transition.

The Roundtable was the beginning of a promising journey towards a more sustainable boating industry.

The collaboration between the European Boating Industry and Confindustria Nautica at the Genoa International Boat Show is set to provide an enduring platform for sustainability discussions in the industry. It promises an exciting space for annual discussions on sustainability, charting a course for a more eco-conscious mentality for the industry.