KOK Oslo is super proud to have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag environmental certification for the third year in a row!
Not only that, but we are one of only two boat companies in Scandinavia to have achieved this.
Every year we must be recertified, and if we do not meet the criteria the flag must be lowered and removed. And we’d rather not. Not just because it’s cool with flags (true, yes?), but because we want to show that we care.
Of course, other forms of sustainability are also important to KOK.
Part of the reason we started this sustainability sauna journey was that we wanted to be part of the solution rather than the problem. But are we? And if not – how can we become one?
We want to uncover this and are currently working on, among other things, a sustainability report with climate accounting. In the meantime, you can watch the video below about what Blue Flag is, and what must be in place for a business to be certified.
The Blue Flag program was started in France in 1985 and in the rest of Europe from 1987. The purpose was to engage beaches to comply with the EU’s bathing water directive. In 2001, South Africa was the first country outside Europe to be admitted. Read more about this development on Blue Flag’s international website.
Blue Flag is an environmental certificate for beaches, marinas and sustainable activity boats. The award is awarded annually to over 4,000 beaches, marinas and boats in 46 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South and North America.
The purpose of the Blue Flag is to help promote sustainable development at beaches, marinas and among providers of sustainable boat trips. This is done through strict requirements for, among other things, environmental management, water quality, safety and service, and environmental training and information.
The fact that a beach, marina or boat has been awarded the Blue Flag means that guests can feel safe in terms of both water quality and safety. The guests get visible proof that the surroundings and the operation of the beach, the marina or the boat are looked after in the best possible way.
Blue Flag is also a tool for the municipality and owner to show that they take responsibility for sustainability and the environment in and around the area in question, and that they want to promote environmentally sound behavior in the municipality’s free areas. Furthermore, Blue Flag makes visible the effort that has been put in both with regard to bathing water monitoring, safety, service and environmental management for the guests.
Blue Flag in Norway is managed by Stiftelsen FEE Norway, org. 980 719 839
In order to achieve Blue Flag status and raise the blue flag, an application must be made every year.
The Norwegian Blue Flag season lasts from 23 June to 31 August.
In 2022, there were 18 beaches, three marinas and 8 boats (from Kragerø Taxibåt and KOK Oslo) that could hoist and sail with the Blue Flag.
Do you want to learn more about the ocean, sustainability, weather and wind?
Here you will find KOK Magazine where you can read more.
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