What is the Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI)?

YETI is a method developed for-and-by the yachting sector to assess and compare yachts based on their environmental performance, specifically during the operational phase of their lifecycle. It is the result of a multi-year Joint Industry Project, and intended to provide both the yachting industry and owners with a clear understanding of their project or existing yacht’s current environmental impact, the sources of that impact, and serves as a valuable decision support system for considering new solutions to enhance environmental performance.

YETI is designed for all yachting stakeholders, including shipyards, designers, engineers, service providers, marinas, insurers, financers, and suppliers. Each group can use the tool to understand yacht performance and make informed environmental decisions based on their needs.

YETI provides data-driven insights to benchmark environmental performance, not only tracking a range of emissions but also serving as a decision-support system to guide improvements in both new build yachts and existing vessels through refits.

Yes, YETI is aligned with IMO Marpol regulations. Ultimately, YETI is aimed at incentivising and guiding the reduction of the fleet’s environmental impact, beyond regulatory requirements, on a voluntary basis. It helps the industry meet current and future environmental standards, analysing elements like energy consumption, energy efficiency, energy sources and related emissions. Currently, the YETI method is being submitted as a proposal for an ISO Technical Specification under the Technical Committee 8, Subcommittee 12 for Large Yachts, to standardise a method for assessing and comparing yachts on their environmental credentials.

How is YETI different from other environmental assessment tools?

YETI goes beyond assessing CO2 emissions by evaluating multiple environmental parameters. It uses a Life Cycle Approach that takes into account the full operational phase of a yacht’s life, making it more comprehensive than legislative metrics such as EEDI or CII. It is also taking the upstream impacts from energy sources, such as fuels and shore power, into account.

The EcoPoint is a metric that consolidates various pollutants into a single score, allowing for easier comparisons while maintaining transparency about individual environmental effects. YETI expresses the ecological impact of yachts using this metric, integrating multiple environmental factors — such as CO₂ emissions, resource use, and water pollution — each weighted based on its significance, relevance, and severity. EcoPoints facilitate holistic comparisons, support environmental reporting, and align with regulatory demands for transparent sustainability metrics. Compared to other environmental metrics, the Ecopoint offers an integrated and weighted approach, particularly valuable in contexts where multiple types of environmental impacts need to be considered simultaneously.

YETI assesses energy demand from propulsion, hotel and heat functions of a yacht. This energy demand is translated into a range of environmental impacts, including greenhouse gases such as CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and other pollutants. It provides a clear picture of a yacht’s environmental performance, helping to identify areas for improvement and take concrete steps to enhance environmental sustainability.

What is the difference between YETI Lite and YETI Pro?

YETI Lite: A free, open-source tool designed for non-technical users. It offers quick, estimated performance scores with up to 90% accuracy but is not suitable for official claims.

YETI Pro: A licensed tool (€1000/year for 3 users) offering comprehensive assessments based on well-to-wake impact of energy carriers, reference lines to benchmark yacht performance, and an extensive dashboard for deeper analysis. The tool allows users to explore and test potential solutions for reducing environmental impact, reflected in an improved YETI score. YETI Pro also offers an option for third-party verification of input data to achieve official YETI scores; without this verification, all YETI score outcomes remain preliminary.

YETI Lite is a free version of our tool, and its access is open to any user by creating an account.
YETI Pro is available at €1000/year for 3 users, offering an unlimited amount of yachts that can be assessed comprehensively.

YETI Lite offers a free demo of what YETI Pro will entail. For more in-depth insights into YETI Pro’s offering, our team is more than happy to arrange a one-on-one session.

No. YETI Lite scores are estimates and are meant to raise awareness and be used internally, not for making official environmental claims. For official certification, YETI Pro should be used, where scores can be validated by third-party verifiers.

YETI is backed by 20 industry-leading companies and experts, including top research institutes, and has been developed using a robust dataset and a global fleet reference line. This foundation ensures reliable benchmarking and continuous updates to environmental factors for precision. For added credibility, YETI Pro will offer independent third-party verification, allowing users to obtain official YETI scores that are accurate and fully validated.

You can start with YETI Lite for free or sign up for YETI Pro for more advanced features. Click here to create an account and begin using the tool.

No, YETI is an entirely web-hosted and mobile-accessible software, under the highly secured platform run by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN).

YETI provides new opportunities to specialise in the assessment and optimisation of yachts. Our unique training program will launch in early 2025. Please stay tuned and register your interest by reaching out to yeti@waterrevolutionfoundation.org.

How is my data handled in YETI?

The YETI software respects user privacy and by working in personal accounts data is kept only on an account level. It ensures that all self-reported data remains confidential unless users request third-party verification for certification purposes.

YETI collects input data related to your yacht’s environmental performance, such as main dimensions, type and components of propulsion and electric systems to calculate fuel consumption, emissions, and energy use. This data is used to calculate the vessel’s environmental impact and provide insights into improving performance.

Yes. If you wish to have your data removed from the YETI platform, you can contact support and request data deletion, where your data will be securely erased from the system.