“Our journey to a greener future” is the name of the sustainability strategy with which the Links Trust of St. Andrews, operator of the world-famous Old Course, is starting the year 2025. The Trust’s goals are ambitious and include net-zero emissions by 2040.
Further projects are:
- Publication of a new plan to tackle coastal erosion in 2025
- Commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040
- Purchase 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025
- Ensure that 90% of employees receive annual sustainability training to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to promote and practice sustainability in their daily work
- Divert 99% of waste from landfills through improved recycling and composting programs by 2025
- Conserve and enhance biodiversity by ensuring that 99 5 of species on the site are native to the UK.
Golf Sustainable has already reported on many of these initiatives, and many of the Links Trust’s projects are already underway. However, like all world-renowned tourist destinations, the main issue with C02 emissions in St. Andrews is the arrival and departure of golfers from all over the world. Do these CO2 emissions also affect the Links Trust’s net-zero planning?
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Calculated in the Links Trust’s carbon footprint are all emissions under its operational control, as defined in the Green House Gas Protocol’s approach to ‘operational control’. “Visitor travel therefore does not contribute to SALT’s operational footprint total and hence is not part of our net-zero target.” explains the Links Trust press office. “That said, we do of course recognise the impact of visitor travel, and as such, we will measure and monitor visitor travel movements and calculate the associated carbon, from which subsequent measures to reduce this will be implemented, as part of our broader carbon reduction plan.”
Links Trust sets a positive example when it comes to CO₂ accounting
Ultimately, according to the statement, the Links Trust is still in the initial phase of “reducing and calculating the footprint”. In fact, this is a positive step compared to other world-renowned golf destinations. Whether from world-renowned US-resorts such as Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits or PGA West, or from the leading major European destinations such as Vilamoura or PGA Catalunya, Net Zero targets have been formulated and backed up with credible projects. Only Costa Navarino in Greece, already known for its numerous sustainability projects, is pursuing a Net Zero target by 2050. In this respect, the Links Trust is setting a positive example within the industry with its numerous sustainability projects, which have now been incorporated into a formal strategy.
Image: Club de Golf Alcanada