In a landmark step toward decarbonising the yachting sector, AtmoSud, the regional air quality observatory for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the SEA Index ® Superyacht Eco Association, the Monaco-based environmental benchmark for superyachts, have announced a strategic collaboration to develop a robust methodology for measuring and integrating pollutants emissions into the SEA Index certification framework.
The partnership represents a first in the yachting sector through the incorporation into the unbiased SEA Index superyacht environmental rating system particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, two regulated pollutants contributors to marine and coastal air pollution. This joint initiative is set to accelerate transparency and accountability within the superyacht sector and aligns with regional and international ambitions for cleaner oceans.
A Methodology Anchored in Science and Impact
Combining AtmoSud’s scientific expertise in atmospheric monitoring and emissions modeling with SEA Index’s leadership in superyacht sustainability and third-party CO2 certification, the initiative aims to establish a data-driven, scalable methodology tailored to the operational realities of superyachts. The methodology will be designed to account for engine and generator performance, pollution control systems, and real-world usage profiles, ensuring rigorous and actionable environmental assessments.
“PM and NOx emissions from superyachts are an underregulated yet critically important factor in local and regional air quality,” said Pierre-Charles MARIA, President of AtmoSud. “By partnering with SEA Index, we are applying the same scientific rigor we bring to public policy and regional monitoring to the superyacht sector — a high-profile industry that can lead by example.”
“The SEA Index was created to drive measurable change in yachting sustainability,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, President of the SEA Index Superyacht Eco Association. “By integrating air pollutants emissions into our methodologies, we’re elevating our commitment to climate leadership and giving owners, captains, shipyards, and designers a new metric to reduce their environmental footprint.”
