Pinnacle of women’s golf launches sustainability plan to address climate and conserve biodiversity

The organisers of the 2019 Solheim Cup have today launched the event’s sustainability initiative which sees a wave of additional efforts to minimise the climate and environmental footprint of the event, while at the same time maximising the conservation of wildlife. Habitat destruction, exploitation, and climate change are driving the loss of half of the world’s wild animal population.

The comprehensive plan, which also integrates key elements of social inclusion, diversity and equality, is being led by EventScotland in close partnership with the event’s Sustainability Partner, GEO Foundation - the Scotland based non-profit that specialises in promoting sustainability in and through golf around the world.

The plan is also supported by all event partners and stakeholders, including The Gleneagles Hotel, IMG, the Ladies European Tour, LPGA, Scottish Golf and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “I am delighted to see and support the 2019 Solheim Cup’s leadership in reducing its impact on our environment and climate by promoting public transport, avoiding single-use plastics and promoting sustainability to the tens of thousands who will descend on Gleneagles. I commend the organisers for taking this important step and look forward to seeing their plan in action later this year.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, which is leading the staging and delivery of the event on behalf of The Scottish Government, said: “Great golf and nature-rich landscapes go hand in hand, so we are taking this opportunity to reinforce the importance of biodiversity – both to golf and to society at large. It is important major events such as the 2019 Solheim Cup recognise and minimise the impact on the environment and we hope our direct actions and indirect influences will encourage greater nature conservation across golf in Scotland and further afield.”

Matching with the central theme of Earth Day 2019, the 2019 Solheim Cup is seeking to actively “Protect Our Species”. With 19 ecologically protected areas on and around the golf courses, there is plenty of iconic Scottish wildlife at Gleneagles.

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, GEO Foundation added: “The world is facing a rate of biodiversity loss that humanity has never seen before, and with our clear dependencies on the natural world, time is of the essence. That makes it all the more important for major influencers, such as the 2019 Solheim Cup and greenspaces, such as golf courses, to take action – and when that happens, it can be hugely beneficial and inspiring to many others.”

Some of the key environmental sustainability action areas for the 2019 Solheim Cup include:

• Reducing the carbon footprint 
• Public transport, car sharing, using the efficient park and ride service, clean fuels and by engaging with local suppliers and contractors
• Achieving ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’
• Avoiding single-use materials, making sure all materials are separated for re-use and recycling
• Conserving nationally and internationally important habitats
• Protect the 19 designated areas on Gleneagles Estate and the rare and iconic Scottish wildlife
• Promoting sustainability to more people
• Engaging in, and promoting, green activities.

These are complemented by a wide range of social responsibility actions that centre on diversity and inclusion, including the Aberdeen Standard Investments’ Diversity Summit, affordable ticketing and volunteering rewards scheme. Other areas of focus include access and provisions for people with disabilities, junior golf development experiences and promotion of the health and wellbeing value of golf for families.

With a host of accessible and family-friendly activities on offer, the Scottish Government aims for this to be the most family-focussed golf event ever held in Scotland with tickets for adults priced from just £10 and children under-16 admitted free of charge.

Find out more at www.solheimcup2019.com/sustainability

For more examples of how golf is helping conserve biodiversity, as well as conserve resources and strengthen communities, take a look at the Sustainability Highlights here:  www.getoncourse.golf/highlights

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About the Gleneagles Hotel
With 68% of the golf course area being natural or semi-natural habitat: heather, grassland, gorse scrub, woodlands, parkland & veteran trees, numerous lochs, ponds, mires, burns & marsh, Gleneagles is committed to the stewardship of this rich property.
A wide range of activities is undertaken to enhance the site and to reduce consumption of resources, including:

• Using woodchip powered biomass boiler installed and providing 74% of hotel heating and hot water
• Getting all residual electricity supply from low carbon supply sources
• Achieving over 70% re-use and recycling of materials.

The Gleneagles Resort is working towards renewing its GEO Certified status.
www.gleneagles.com

About GEO Foundation
GEO Foundation is the international not-for-profit dedicated to helping golf to deliver and be recognised for a positive impact for people and nature. Inspiring golf to fully embrace sustainability and promoting a shared understanding of issues and solutions, working with and through industry associations and businesses. The organisation provides practical, straightforward online guidance programmes and mentoring, to make it easier for clubs, developments, and tournaments to ask the pertinent questions, improve now and in the future, and confidently share their successes.
www.sustainable.golf

About the Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition features the best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. The Solheim Cup is named in honour of Karsten Solheim, the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim family, in conjunction with the LET and the LPGA, developed the concept and became the title sponsor for the Solheim Cup, professional golf’s international match-play competition for women. Today, the global partners of the Solheim Cup are PING, Scotland, The Home of Golf, and Rolex. Held every two years, the event has grown into the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. The Solheim Cup is the most highly coveted trophy in women’s professional golf team competition; some of the most memorable moments in the sport have happened during past Solheim Cups and berths on the European and U.S. teams are highly sought-after by players from both organisations. The 2017 Solheim Cup took place on August 14-20, at Des Moines Country Club in Iowa, United States. The U.S. Team retained the coveted Waterford Crystal trophy by 16 ½ to 11 ½ points. For more information log on to www.solheimcup.com

About EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com

Contacts
Moira Fraser - moira@sustainable.golf
David Connor - david.connor@visitscotland.com
Jack Rees - jack.rees@img.com