As a 'Sustainability Partner' of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, Agbar, the leading water management and environmental services company, will provide critical support to jointly promote solutions to reinforce the sustainability of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup that will take place in Barcelona between August and October 2024.
The use of reclaimed water supplied by Agbar, which is also the 'Official Water Utility Partner' of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, will ensure a significant reduction in the water usage by the event with actions such as cleaning of AC75, AC40 and support vessels.
Reclaimed water is treated water which, after advanced treatment, is used for new purposes, in this case for the cleaning of the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand's race and chase boats and all of the support vessels of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup.
By promoting the circularity of water, it is possible to reduce the pressure on water resources, especially potable water. This focus on water preservation is a fundamental issue in the context of the drought situation experienced in Barcelona, Catalonia as well as other parts of Spain, connected to climate change.
All of the teams competing at the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup have been notified by the event organisers, America's Cup Events, and instructed to conserve water as much as possible in the lead up to the regatta and to put in place solutions that promote sustainability and the recycling of water wherever possible.
Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Events, recognises the importance of this initiative whilst welcoming Agbar as a supporting Partner, saying: "In Catalonia at the moment there's a severe drought and it's imperative that the America's Cup community does everything that it can to act responsibly and with respect to the venue that is hosting the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup. We have to do everything that we can to reduce our environmental impact. The partnership with Agbar is key to this and we look forward to forging a deep and mutually beneficial relationship with the company and its industry-leading professionals to drive the ambitious sustainability goals that we have set for the regatta."
Through the agreement with Agbar, the partnership sets in motion several actions to contribute to the overall sustainability objectives of the event including, among others, the measurement of the environmental impact of events through the carbon and hydric footprints, the establishment of drinking water fountains around the event site and, as mentioned, vitally ensuring a significant reduction in the water usage with the use of reclaimed water for cleaning of AC75, AC40 and support vessels.
The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup racing will begin in Barcelona on 22nd August 2024 with the Preliminary Regatta followed by the Louis Vuitton Cup – the Challenger Selection Series to decide the team to challenge the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Match, which will start on 12th October 2024.
The apex event of sailing will take place around the Port Vell and along the beach to the Port Olímpic with the racing happening just a few hundred metres out to sea to give spectators the very best view of the regatta with the oldest continually contested sporting trophy in the world at stake.