So far this year the Committed to Green Foundation has already announced a new phase in its development with new funding, a new chief executive and new trustees.
Now comes news of a major conference on the issue of golf and environmental sustainability to be held on Monday 27th June 2005 at Hotel Sofitel, Brussels airport.
Issues such as climate change, land use planning, water conservation, pesticide use, biodiversity conservation and waste management already impact on the management and development of golf courses. In the future they are set to have an even greater effect on the development of the game.
The event, at which attendance is by invitation only, will provide the opportunity for a wide cross section of golfing organisations to come together with major governmental and environmental agencies, and environmental NGOs. It will be an ideal platform to hear the views of non-golfing organisations and to contribute to the debate on golf’s current and future response to environmental issues.
This one-day meeting will include keynote speakers from the European Commission, WWF International, the International Olympic Committee and the European Golf Association.
“We want to move forward with a participative approach to assist the golf sector in developing, structuring, implementing and promoting its approach towards environmental issues,” said Jonathan Smith, chief executive, Committed to Green Foundation. “We are keen to work with as many organisations as possible within the sector, and believe we can add value to their efforts through our independent position.
“Catherine Day of the European Commission Environment Directorate and Claude Martin of WWF International will present their respective positions on golf and sustainability and subsequently launch the Foundation’s flagship initiative – the European Forum for Sustainable Golf. Björn Nordberg will speak on behalf of the European Golf Association.
“The Forum is an independently based, stakeholder led mechanism for improved coordination and promotion of environmental initiatives in golf.”
