MIA expands Environmental Commitment with 2025 Marine Sustainability Pledge (MSP)

Marina Industries Association © Marina Industries Association

Marine industries have made great strides in protecting and enhancing marine ecosystems through programs like the MIA's Clean Marinas, Fish Friendly Marinas, and the Elimination of Single Use Plastics Pledge. These initiatives promote environmental responsibility, starting with businesses and extending to marine users and the community.

As stewards of the world's oceans and coasts, the Marina Industries Association (MIA) is providing a further solution for the industry to continue its important leadership role in announcing the Marine Sustainability Pledge (MSP).

This new pledge focuses on broader sustainability challenges, including renewal energy & carbon emissions, water & air pollution, resource efficiency, and habitat protection and restoration.

"The Marine Sustainability Pledge signals our commitment to driving positive change," said Andrew Chapman, MIA President. "By focusing on actionable goals and fostering accountability, we aim to create a long-term impact on marine ecosystems and the businesses that depend on them."The MSP asks its pledges to follow several core principles: reduce the use of all plastics, utilise renewable energy sources and carbon offset initiatives, prevent water and air pollution, develop resource efficiencies, and take an active approach to circular economy principles. The MSP also asks businesses to engage and educate their local communities and highlight their accountability and transparency with their initiatives. Signatories to the pledge will also be able to share their experiences and knowledge within industry meetings and their sustainability prowess on the MIA's website.

Since its announcement to members, half a dozen marina businesses immediately signed the pledge. Suzanne Davies, MIA CEO, explained that the pledge is not just for marinas to embrace, saying, "The pledge is open to all MIA members, as well as marine businesses that share facilities with MIA members, and we hope that many marine businesses that work at marinas also sign on and commit."

The pledge is easily submitted online at the MIA's website. Signatories will receive a pledge certificate for public display, customisable materials, social media, publicity, and logos for promotional use. There are also new resources in the MSP section of the website, helping organisations better understand some of the MSP's course principles. In addition, a dedicated online sustainability forum being launched on the MIA website later in the year will enable participants to share and exchange knowledge and inspire collective action, with the MIA amplifying successful stories through news features and at the Marina of Year Awards.

Sign the Marine Sustainability Pledge today. Check the MIA website for details and get involved! For more information, visit www.marinas.net.au/accreditation/marine-sustainability-pledge or contact Chris Stone, MIA Operations Manager at manager@marinas.net.au.