The Ocean Race Engage a Sustainability Leader in New Partnership

July 8, 2022 

Dole Sunshine Company(DSC), which believes in "harnessing the goodness of the earth", has become a Positive Change Partner of The Ocean Race to help shine a light on ocean health and rights. Billed as the "world's toughest test of a team in sport," the around-the-world sailing race has run an award-winning "Racing with Purpose" sustainability program for the past five years in collaboration with Founding Partner 11th Hour Racing. 

The Ocean Race will support the DSC’s sustainability ambitions and, together, they will raise awareness of the threats to the ocean, the critical role organizations and individuals play in keeping oceans healthy and help drive action for a better planet. As part of its Dole Promise, DSC committed to ending its use of fossil fuel-based plastic packaging by 2025 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. This includes transitioning to productive waste-based and other packaging solutions that can contribute to a more sustainable economy, sourcing 100% renewable energy for its facilities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Working together, we believe we can have a positive impact on restoring ocean health by giving a voice to the ocean. DSC shares that view and will be a valuable contributor to this effort," said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race.

DSC will also play a role in the Race's ongoing sustainability initiatives, such as The Ocean Race Summits, in an effort to work more closely on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The series brings together global decision makers to help drive new and improved policies to protect and govern the ocean and support healthy seas. In addition to networking and knowledge exchange, DSC will take The Ocean Race's innovative approach to people and leadership to instil resilience, teamwork and collaboration in internal programs.

"The health of our ocean, amid climate change, resource waste and declining natural resources, is more important than ever for our planet. The same can be said for the health of our people. We believe it is time for a change, and we are taking action where we can be most effective, from alliances with like-minded partners to removing processed sugars and fossil-based plastic packaging from our products, said Pier Luigi Sigismondi, President, Food and Beverages Group, Dole Sunshine Company.

"It's been extremely important for us as an organization to align with those who can offer expertise and access to help us make an impact amid the growing expectations of the next generation, since introducing our Promise in 2020. We're thrilled to partner with the world's pinnacle ocean race, and a true leader in sustainability." 

DSC will also advocate for The Ocean Race's Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights. The draft principles of the Declaration set out a global framework for governing the ocean to ensure it is properly protected. It will be presented in conjunction with the UN General Assembly in September 2023 and if the concept is agreed upon, the Declaration would be written with input from countries across the world. 

The next edition of The Ocean Race starts from Alicante, Spain on January 15, 2023 and will again feature an innovative sustainability program, including scientific data gathering from race yachts, learning programs and The Ocean Race Summits series, focused on driving a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights.

The Ocean Race won a 2018 Beyond Sport Global Award for its Turn the Tide on Plastic initiative.