After more than 18-months of work and collaboration, we are proud to announce the launch of The Toolbox, a Launched this June, The Toolbox, our free resource that enables organizations to put in place their own sustainability program, is now available in French.

Just in time for the Transat Jacques Vabre, starting on November 7 in Le Havre (France), our sustainability team has kept well busy to make The Toolbox available in Voltaire’s language.

The free suite of resources available for companies and organizations of any size and sector includes a variety of How-to Guides, case studies, tools and templates designed to put in place a value-led business model.

11th Hour Racing Team had the chance with a number of great partners, first and foremost, the IMOCA Class, to make this happen. 

Even though The Toolbox is suitable for any type of business, from a startup to a sports team up to a multinational company, special effort was undertaken to adapt to the very specific needs of skippers and sailing teams. For instance, sailors will be able to easily calculate the water and carbon footprint of his or her organization when traveling around the globe. 

“Today, a lot of people have become aware of the delicate situation our planet is in and the urgency to act; but little know how and where to start”, states Damian Foxall, 11th Hour Racing Team Sustainability Program Manager. “For small businesses it is particularly difficult to find the necessary resources, financial means, and know-how to launch their transformation in house. That’s why we have created The Toolbox. It enables anybody to put in place a sound program, without having to externalize or invest large amounts of money.”

Besides the IMOCA Class, different organizations from the world of sports or maritime industry have developed and tested The Toolbox, including events such as The Ocean Race, the Vendée Globe or the Transat Jacques Vabre. 

Diverse teams, associations, and manufacturers, sharing the common goal to improve their operations, have been using the suite over the past months, aiming to become at the same time economically viable, socially equitable and sustainable, leaving a positive impact on the environment. 

“When 11th Hour Racing Team approached us to develop and optimize The Toolbox with them, we immediately felt it was a perfect match with the sustainability goals we have for the Class. We are proud to have contributed to this fantastic project.”, says Claire Vayer, who is managing sustainable development and partnerships for the IMOCA Class. “In the beginning of 2021, we have put in place the IMOCA Teams Charter and The Toolbox is a perfect addition to it. The collaborative platform, as well as the diverse tools and guidelines, make this suite extremely versatile and useful. 

Sailing teams are very distinct structures, with specific financial and human resources, that impact their ability to invest and build their in-house program. The Toolbox adapts really well to that, offering a custom-made solution for everybody. We felt it was very important to also offer a French version, in order to make this resource accessible for a larger number of sailing enthusiasts.”  

On the occasion of the Transat Jacques Vabre, a two-weeks transatlantic race from le Havre to the Island of Martinique, 11th Hour Racing team is hosting a number of workshops and seminars to introduce both teams and the public to The Toolbox. 

In line with the event’s ambitious goals to be an eco-friendly and inclusive platform, these workshops are part of a large programm of daily animations and activities taking place in the Race Village before the official departure. 

Emilie Llorens, who coordinates sustainable development for the Transat Jacques Vabre, explains: “We are using The Toolbox to collaborate and exchange information and insights with the teams. This way, we are able to measure the event’s carbon footprint. The Toolbox is both comprehensive and easy to use, allowing every organization to find simple and tailor-made solutions to advance on their sustainability journey.”

More information on the Transat Jacques Vabre race village from October 20 until November 7 can be found on www.transatjacquesvabre.org. To get free access to The Toolbox, head over to www.sustainabilitytoolbox.com.

(Feature photo by Amory Ross / 11th Hour Racing)