GEO Foundation highlighting how golf can help climate action

The GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf will host a special event on November 11, coinciding with the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, highlighting the roles golf can play in climate action and exploring the pathways to net-zero emissions. The aim is to facilitate an important conversation at a key time — with a view to raising awareness and inspiring accelerated action during the decade ahead.

Organized and facilitated by GEO Foundation, Driving for Net Zero will be streamed virtually from Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone in Glasgow and aims to bring together leading experts from United Nations agencies and other climate action bodies with representatives and examples from across the sport of golf.

“We are excited to be able to present this event live and coinciding with COP26, as global attention is on the critical topic of climate action,” GEO Foundation executive director Jonathan Smith said. “The program brings expertise and diverse perspectives from around the world, across golf, sport and beyond. The event will emphasize why we need to act, explore what we can effectively do, highlight examples of leadership underway, and introduce new support and solutions developed to accelerate the movement.”

Suzann Pettersen, who has won 22 tournaments, including two majors, also plays an active role as a Sustainable Golf Champion. “Golf is a global sport connected to people and landscapes around the world — affected by and affecting climate change,” she said. “This event is an important and valuable opportunity to discuss how to take our responsibility and opportunity further, faster. Not just for golfers, not just for society now, but generations to come.”

The event is being supported by the Scottish government and is part of a wider drive in sustainable golf supported by partners including The R&A, Toro, Dow, the European Tour, the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA, Galvin Green, WM and other international and national associations. The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST on November 11. Registration is free.

“GEO Foundation is helping map an ambitious journey towards net-zero for golf — supported by a proper climate mitigation hierarchy and useful tools,” said Margaret Kim, the CEO of Gold Standard, the international non-profit that sets leading standards for climate action. “This innovative and highly credible approach can set a best practice model in golf and beyond. They’re keeping in mind not just the need for practical steps at home, but also contributing to climate justice by promoting the use of high-impact climate protection projects in the developing world.”

GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is an international not-for-profit dedicated to advancing sustainability and climate action in and through golf. The foundation works collaboratively to help the sport proactively embrace key environmental and social issues, to foster nature, conserve resources, take climate action and strengthen communities. In addition to its strategic support through partnerships with associations, GEO Foundation manages and assures the OnCourse programs for grassroots golf facilities, new developments and tournaments, each of which can lead to the internationally accredited and widely endorsed GEO Certified label.