News article
China Open aligns with European golf’s ‘Green Drive’ initiative
China Open organisers have aligned with the European Tour group’s ‘Green Drive’ initiative for the first time, as the golf event returns to the DP World Tour.
The European Tour group’s ‘Green Drive’ initiative is a commitment to addressing priority issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, air and ocean pollution, and sustainable and ethical procurement.
Originally launched in June 2021, as part of the DP World Tour’s overarching ‘Golf for Food’, the ‘Green Drive’ aligns with the UN’s ‘Decade of Action’ with the aim of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Supported by the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, an international non-profit dedicated to accelerating sustainability in and through golf, the ‘Green Drive’ focuses on fostering nature, conserving resources, social responsibility and value, and climate action.
The European Tour group’s ‘Green Drive’ promotes sustainability by partnering with GEO-certified golf courses that meet high environmental standards, localising suppliers, using clean and renewable energy sources, promoting recycling, reducing waste sent to landfill, minimising reliance on single-use plastic and facilitating eco-friendly transport options.
It will be the first time the China Open organising committee has pledged to join the initiative, with progress having already been made over the last two years in terms of sustainability.
Changes made include the implementation of paperless practices, the elimination of single-use water bottles on site, recycling and waste sorting, water-saving practices and the Hidden Grace Golf Club receiving GEO certification.
“As the DP World Tour returns to China, we are pleased to work with the Volvo China Open Organising Committee to jointly strive for the sustainable development of the event."
Thanks to the golf tournament’s headline sponsor, car manufacturer Volvo, the organising committee will utilise the Nordic fully electric premium MPV EM90 for commuting.
“As the DP World Tour returns to China, we are pleased to work with the Volvo China Open Organising Committee to jointly strive for the sustainable development of the event,” said Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Head of Sustainability at the European Tour group.
“We are very happy to share best practices from our ‘Green Drive’ initiative, give support to the Volvo China Open Organising Committee, inspire the local community, and to collaboratively work towards the ‘Green Drive’ goals.”
The 2024 Volvo China Open qualifying competition will take place at the Hidden Grace Golf Club in Shenzhen on April 17-18.
Image: Oleksandr P