Introduction
Environmental management systems and accreditation are becoming increasingly important for golf clubs across Europe. Golf facilities need to demonstrate in a credible way to the local community and public authorities that golf is an environmentally responsible activity.
An Environmental Management System will also enable golf facilities to deal effectively with increasingly complex environmental legislation; achieve cost savings through improved management efficiency and regulatory compliance; create marketing and PR advantages; and provide tangible environmental enhancements which feed back into a higher quality golfing experience.
At a collective level, the more golf clubs that can confirm they are in line with all relevant environmental legislation - even exceeding requirements - the better overall for the golf sector. Such a visible demonstration of good practice is increasingly necessary to facilitate the further development of golf in Europe and throughout the world.
Essentially, certification via an EMS is the visible proof that golf courses are being managed in an environmentally responsible manner.
Existing use of EMS and accreditation in golf
An increasing number of golf facilities in Europe are involved in some form of Environmental Management System and associated accreditation. However, although this is growing, those facilities still represent a small proportion of European golf courses.
It is vital that any system appeals to the vast majority of golf facilities, which are small organisations with often fewer than 25 staff, and which operate to tight budgets. There has been therefore, and still is, a demand for a golf-related, easily used, cost-effective, pan European management and accreditation system.
An Environmental Management System for Golf Facilities is an important tool if we are to:
- Engage golf facilities in long term environmental sustainability
- Improve the scope and longevity of environmental management within golf courses
- Tie in up to 300,000 hectares of land and water under positive environmental management
- Develop 6000 active outlets for environmental awareness raising amongst 6 million golfers and many more members of local communities
- Create a collective database of one sector's uptake of environmental best practice
Real improvements in environmental performance will only be achieved through the active involvement of the many thousands of existing golf facilities across Europe. The first priorities are to build awareness and to encourage participation.
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