Golf Environment Organisation Certified Tournament

Introduction For All Internal Partners

Golf can be a leader in sustainable sport, with strong environmental and social values. The aim of GEO’s new initiative is to certify truly sustainable golf tournaments.

Sustainability is about making choices that make a positive difference to the environment and people, now and in the future.

Our sustainability vision and goals have shaped the materials we use, the products we buy or rent, the food we serve, the way we travel and how we work.

Staff and Volunteers

Staff and Volunteer Induction

How you can help:

- Be aware of your responsibilities

- Read and understand the plans and policies relevant to your role

- Save energy and water

- Recycle and reuse

- Prevent pollution: don’t pour anything other than water down the drains and report any spills or risks that you see

- Cycle or use public transport to travel to work

- Help spread the sustainability message

Roles and Responsibilities

• Be aware of what is expected from you throughout the event –especially if you have specific responsibilities related to sustainability

• Read and understand event plans and policies relevant to your role • Encourage other staff and suppliers to protect the environment• Be aware of who to contact if an environmental incident occurs and

what emergency procedures are in place (emergencies include spills, pollution or leaks)

Energy and Water Use

• Switch off equipment and lights when not in use• Use water wisely and report leaks• Minimise the use of diesel generators • Use biofuel where possible

Waste Management

• Prevent the production of waste• Be aware of the different waste disposal routes available • Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, wood, plastic• Collect waste construction materials for reuse by other organisations

or at future events

Suppliers and Contractors

Event Supplier/Contractor Induction

• Provide information to the event team when requested

• Procure sustainable materials and products

• Cycle or use public transport to travel to the event

• Be aware of the environmental risks of your organisation

• Save energy - switch off lights and equipment if not in use

• Use water wisely

• Prevent pollution: don’t pour anything other than water down the drains and report any spills or risks that you see

• Help spread the sustainability message

Provide Sustainability Information

• As part of this programme, we require data, information and evidence from you

• We track all this information to enable us to gain a full picture of the event

• We can help and advise you on how to meet our sustainability standards

• Provide evidence of your commitment to sustainability such as awards and certifications

• You are also contractually obligated to record and report certain information such as quantity of waste produced during event.

Sustainable Procurement

• Where does it come from?• Who made it? • What is it made from? • What is it wrapped in? • What will happen to it after the event?

Travel and Accommodation

• When possible, choose a hotel with a good environmental reputation or a Green Hotel Award

• Use public transport, car share or cycle to the event• Encourage others to do the same

Energy and Water Use

• Switch off equipment and lights when not in use• Use water wisely and report leaks• Minimise the use of diesel generators • Use biofuel where possible

Waste Management

• Prevent the production of waste• Be aware of the different waste disposal routes available: • Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, wood, plastic• Collect waste construction materials for reuse by other organisations

or at future events• If there is absolutely no other option, dispose of waste in a general

waste bin.

Caterers

Caterers Induction• Provide information to the event team when requested

• Procure sustainable materials and products

• Provide sustainable, high quality food

• Cycle or use public transport to travel to the event

• Be aware of the environmental risks of your organisation

• Save energy - switch off lights and equipment if not in use

• Use water wisely

• Prevent pollution: don’t pour anything other than water down the drains and report any spills or risks that you see

Provide Sustainability Information

• As part of this programme, we require data and information from you• We track all information provided to enable us to gain a full picture of

the event• We can help and advise you on how to meet our sustainability

standards• Provide evidence of your commitment to sustainability such as

awards and certifications• You are also contractually obligated to record and report certain

information such as quantity of waste produced during event.

Sustainable Procurement

• Where does it come from?• Who made it? • What is it made from? • What is it wrapped in? • What will happen to it after the event?

Sustainable Food

Sustainable food is: • Locally sourced• Meat from higher welfare standard farms• Fish from the MSC Sustainable Fish List• Free range eggs• Purchased from farmers at a fair price• Sold with minimal packaging

Travel and Accommodation

• When possible, choose a hotel with a good environmental reputation or a Green Hotel Award

• Use public transport, car share or cycle to the event• Encourage others to do the same

Energy and Water Use

• Switch off equipment and lights when not in use• Use water wisely and report leaks• Source materials locally to reduce transport miles• Minimise the use of diesel generators • Use biofuel where possible

Waste Management

• Prevent the production of waste by reducing the use of packaging and disposable plates/cutlery/cups etc.

• Be aware of the different waste disposal routes available • Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, wood, plastic