The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) saves lives at sea and the Isle of Man is the birthplace of the 200 year old charity.
The charity has committed to becoming zero carbon for electricity, gas and fuel (Scopes 1 & 2) by 2050 and is working with partners such as International Maritime Rescue, HM Coastguard and the Met Office to draw up a climate adaptation plan. This work will include engagement at regional and local level, including the Isle of Man.
The charity is working with industry, academia and others to establish options and timeframes for shifting from fossil fuels to alternative forms of propulsion for lifeboats and is planning the electrification of its vehicle fleet.
The RNLI supported the Royal College of Arts Grand Challenge in 2023: Engaging Communities for Generating Marine Sustainable Economies, and is continuing to work with this and other partners and universities etc on environmental and climate change-related topics.
The RNLI aims to become a ‘zero waste to landfill’ organisation by 2030, is committed to the waste hierarchy of eliminate, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover before disposal. It sells end of service lifeboats to other organisations so they remain in use. It works with suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of its operational kit and it adapts decommissioned lifejackets for use by fundraisers and, when the jackets reach the end of their lives, uses buckles for giveaway items, the remainder being recycled.
The RNLI has rigorous processes to avoid contamination of the land and aquatic environment and uses water as efficiently as possible.
The charity has a sustainability champions group which is open to all RNLI volunteers and staff.
Through a team of trained water safety volunteers, the RNLI delivers critical water safety messages to locals and tourists alike. In 2023, it delivered more than 750 such messages around the coast of the Isle of Man.
Founded by Manx resident Sir William Hillary, the RNLI has demonstrated over 200 years that it intrinsically linked, culturally and socially, to the Isle of Man.
The charity has five lifeboat houses and crews, six fundraising branches and two shops in the Island, all staffed by volunteers.
For the 200th anniversary, it has worked closely with Manx National Heritage on an exhibition of archives and artefacts at the House of Manannan, Peel.
200 Voices, a specially curated series of podcasts, features in episode one the personal story of Edd Christian, RNLI Douglas crew member, and coxswain of the lifeboat.
Visit Isle of Man formed a partnership with the RNLI in 2023, supporting the publication of a history trail and the public engagement aspects of the RNLI stations and monuments across the Island.
Media Isle of Man recognised the RNLI as their charity of the year in November 2023.
The Isle of Man Post Office commissioned a special set of commemorative, 200th anniversary stamps, published on January 4th 2024.
The Isle of Man Government has supported the RNLI’s lifesaving work internationally, providing financial grants and speaking positively of this work.
UNESCO UK, with support from other UNESCO delegations nominated the RNLI 200th anniversary to be recognised in 2024 across the world. This was ratified in November 2023 providing the RNLI an incredible opportunity to work and promote its work in partnership with UNESCO Biospheres, including the Isle of Man.
