GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf releases 2nd edition of sustainability standard
GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf’s second edition of the international voluntary sustainability standard for golf developments demonstrates golf’s continuing proactive leadership and progress in the construction industry.
Developed through close collaboration, within and outside the golf industry, the latest edition of the standard represents another major step forward in golf’s journey to becoming a leader in sustainable sport, land use and development, according to the GEO Foundation.
“The process of working with public comments and the international expert group’s knowledge was a great insight into what we’ve seen change in the sustainability space over the past five years. There were invaluable inputs shared into the ways in which everyone felt that golf developments, done in the right way, can continue to make real positive contributions to their environment, climate and community,” said Sam Thomas, director of Golf Development for GEO. “Going forward, we are excited to adopt this 2nd edition of the standard at all new golf development sites seeking to gain GEO Certified Development status and, over the next five years, see how we can all push on to deliver even greater positive impacts.”
Available to all new developments from September 2021, this simplified new edition raises the bar on sustainability expectations and focuses on the most relevant issues and challenges in the current climate. Renewed emphasis is placed on areas such as increased transparency, carbon impacts, flexible construction timelines, circular economy and the impacts of agronomic decision-making.
Facilitated by GEO Foundation (GEO), six months of open public consultation and dedicated work by the international expert working group for sustainable golf development has led to the release of the second edition of this credible, accessible and relevant voluntary standard for any golf development. The
milestone document provides a tighter framework, which can guide the process of delivering any new golf developments and renovations, from site selection through to opening day, delivering positive social and environmental value throughout.
The seven members of the International Expert Working Group, which helped shape this latest edition, included representatives from the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects; American Society of Golf Course Architects; The European Institutes of Golf Course Architects; Golf course builders through Landscapes Unlimited; Australian National University, Former European Commission representatives and Wetlands International.
View the full report here.