This year’s DP World Tour Championship is set to be the greenest edition to date, with a number of innovations providing a more sustainable tournament experience at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, from 16-19th November.
As part of its commitment to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework, the European Tour group is focused on Driving Golf Further by implementing sustainable innovations at its events, including the DP World Tour Championship, to help reduce direct carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040.
This year’s milestone 15th edition of the DP World Tour Championship will feature a range of sustainable initiatives including the Earth Lounge on the 16th hole fully powered by solar panels and hydrogen generators producing zero carbon emissions.
Constructed in partnership with event suppliers Flow and Wicked, the lounge marks an exciting addition to the tournament ahead of COP28 being held in the UAE later this month.
Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East for the DP World Tour, said: “We are fully committed to making this year’s DP World Tour Championship the most sustainable edition ever and are delighted to be delivering brand new innovations like the Earth Lounge hospitality suite solely powered by green energy. Working closely with our partners, we are ensuring that sustainability continues to be a priority and are proud of the progress we are continuing to make in this space.”
Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Head of Sustainability at the DP World Tour, added: “Having the chance to implement several green energy solutions such as solar, hydrogen and biofuel at the DP World Tour Championship is an exciting opportunity both for us and the wider sports and event industries. As a Tour we are making innovative strides in the sustainability space, including introducing a 100% green hydrogen fueled TV production at the BMW PGA Championship – a world first for sport. These important innovations ultimately reflect our commitment to halving our emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero carbon by 2040.”
Waste management and water conservation are also at the top of the sustainability agenda. Working with official waste management company, Averda, the DP World Tour Championship will recycle 75% of all event waste – a significant amount given historical challenges in this space in the region. Food composters will also be located around the venue to minimise food waste.
The tournament is also continuing its ban on plastic water bottles for the third year running. Free water walls installed around the course have dispensed more than 60,000 litres of water to date, resulting in a saving of over 120,000 500ml bottles.The Earth Course will also not be overseeded again this year, a sustainability measure that has so far saved more than 20 million litres of water.
The DP World Tour Championship Village and all spectator viewing points will be built by Dubai-based temporary infrastructure company Wicked, which actively promotes sustainable building practices. All wooden walls will be constructed using sustainably produced palm strand board, with structures to be reused multiple times in the future and fully insulated to reduce the amount of energy used for air conditioning cooling.
Electric buggies will be used across the venue, including the introduction of a smart buggy management tool, while electric vehicles will play an important role in the event’s BMW shuttle fleet. Fans and spectators arriving in electric vehicles will also be able to take advantage of free charging stations and preferred parking spaces.
These activations are another step forward for the European Tour Group Green Drive initiative, delivered with support from GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, which has seen a consistent approach to carbon reduction and climate mitigation implemented through the Rolex Series and other events on the DP World Tour schedule.
The DP World Tour Championship offers a fantastic day out for all, combining world-class golf with an array of exciting activities and experiences including free golf lessons, kids areas, trick-shot shows and sports activations, as well as premium hospitality and food and beverage options.For more information about ticket options, visit DP World Tour Championship 2023.