In August of last year, I was delighted to learn that the Hero Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament had attained GEO Certified qualification.
Establishing a prerequisite for hosting major golf tournaments would be advantageous, mandating that they host exclusively on golf courses with GEO Certified certification.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has once again achieved GEO Certified certification, marking its continued success and commitment to sustainable practices in golf course management.
This year’s successful accreditation significantly contributed to the ongoing and intensified efforts to minimize the environmental footprint of this esteemed European tour event.
Notable initiatives encompass:
- the widespread adoption of solar power,
- extensive recycling measures to curtail landfill waste,
- exclusive use of B20 biodiesel throughout the event,
- an undertaking to establish parks and plant life, and
- a reduction in paper consumption through the exclusive utilization of digital tickets and daily e-magazines.
Did you know that the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the first event in the Middle East, and the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series to earn this prestigious status?
Many of the sustainability practices from the 35th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic will continue into 2025 alongside new innovations.
Key achievements from recent events also include:
- Solar panels and wide use of solar power in the Media Centre power 80% of the area between the 11th and 15th holes.
- Park and Plant – charge for parking on site funded the planting of 3 trees per car.
- The event diverted 100% of waste from landfills (up from 53% the previous year). Dulsco’s effective waste streams resulted in 25% of materials being recycled or composted.
- 5 tonnes of glass recycled – enough energy to power a laptop for 312 days.
- Emirates Flights Catering sourced salad greens from Dubai’s largest vertical farm, promoting sustainable food choices.
- Free water refill points have helped divert 120,000 single-use plastic bottles from landfills since 2022.
- High-quality filtered water dispensers provided by Liquid of Life and Al Laith minimized single-use plastic.
- Throughout the event, 100% B20 biodiesel was used, supporting Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 target of using 75% clean energy.
- The world’s finest golfers are transported by an expanded fleet of BMW electric vehicles.
- Credibly offset unavoidable emissions via the Rolex Series portfolio with the Gold Standard, supporting the Central Mozambique safe water program alongside the local Mangrove ecosystem restoration project.
- The Sustainability Corner in Tournament Town hosted environmental activities for all ages, including an Urban Farming workshop.
- Digital ticketing and program to reduce paper waste.
- Supported Heroes of Hope, introducing people of determination to golf via organized clinics with the Academy at Emirates Golf Club.
- Event partner Aggreko won the ‘best sustainability initiative’ award at the Middle East Event Awards in June 2023 for its involvement in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2022 and 2023.