geo certifi ed · 2018-11-08 · geo certification ltd, a subsidiary of geo foundation. about the...

2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open

TPC Scottsdale, AZ

GEO Certifi ed® ReportOctober 2018

Contents

1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

2. Tournament approach to sustainability ............................................................................................. 7

3. Verification and certification process ................................................................................................. 9

4. Summary of practices, highlights and key performance indicators ................................ 10

5. Continual Improvement Points ..............................................................................................................16

6. About GEO, and sustainability in and through golf.....................................................................21

‘The WMPO continues to drive innovation and results, a true pioneer of what can be achieved through sustainable golf tournaments’

1. Introduction

52018 Waste Management Phoenix Open | Sustainable Golf Tournaments

This offi cial GEO Certifi ed® Tournament Report summarizes the commitments made; actions undertaken, results generated and continual improvement points accepted for future editions of the tournament.

The GEO Foundation is delighted to recognize the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open as a GEO Certifi ed® Tournament, continuing the leadership established with the certifi cation of the 2017 event, with continued team eff ort, further innovation and with more concrete commitments to the future, the Waste Management Phoenix Open has:

• met all the required criteria of golf’s voluntary standard forsustainable golf tournaments

• successfully passed through the offi cial verifi cation processundertaken by the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS)

• successfully passed the GEO Certifi ed® evaluation

GEO concurs with the Council for Responsible Sport verifi cation assessment and opinion that, having achieved 50 out of a possible 50 credits sought, a further two credits from the 2017 event, as well as satisfying the Continual Improvement Points set from the 2017 event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is awarded GEO Certifi ed® Tournament status for the 2018 event.

The 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open can therefore claim a position as a credible and important leader in advancing sustainability in and through golf – helping foster nature, conserve resources and strengthen communities; while also supporting and showcasing sustainability in front of a large international audience.

Jonathan SmithExecutive Director, GEO Foundation

Mona KarraouiCredibility Manager, GEO Certifi cation Ltd

Gordon ShepherdBoard Member, GEO Certifi cation Ltd

2. Tournament approach to sustainability


With over 719,000 spectators at the 2018 event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open upholds its moniker as the “Greatest Show on Grass”. It was held on 29th January – 4th February 2018, hosted by the Thunderbirds presented by Ai-Chin Indian Community, in collaboration with Waste Management and held at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

While bringing together such a large number of spectators can lead to adverse impacts, the Waste Management Phoenix Open continues to drive a high level of commitment to its sustainability programmes, emanating from the Waste Management Corporation, and fully supported in implementation by the tournament staging and organizing teams.

Since 2012, when the WMPO launched their Zero Waste Challenge, the event has achieved 100% diversion of waste from landfill. Additionally, extensive community and stakeholder outreach, as well as charitable giving and strong tournament legacy, has been a pillar of the sustainability programme. The depth and duration of the event’s focus on sustainability is hugely comendable and currently unprecedented across golf tournaments globally.

Innovation remains a central theme, and this year there was a further focus on greenhouse gas emission reductions;

“we will look to further reduce the tournament’s greenhouse gas emissions through scrim donations and efficiencies during set-up and tear- down. In addition, we have expanded our water conservation efforts through additional grey water collection points and are powering the tournament with 100 percent renewable energy.”

Michele Grossman, Managing Principal of Sustainability Services for Waste Management

8 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open | Sustainable Golf Tournaments

3. Verification and certification process


The official tournament audit and verification process was carried out by the independent verification body The Council for Responsible Sport, accredited by GEO for golf tournament verification in North America.

Verification involved the following activities, using the International Sustainable Tournament Standard as the guide to ensure comprehensive and consistent evaluation of performance.

• Pre-event assessment of submitted tournament documents • On-site, event-time verification of policies in practice and results• Post-event evaluation of 2017 tournament data and results

The Council then submitted a full verification report for evaluation by GEO Certification Ltd, a subsidiary of GEO Foundation.

About the Council for Responsible Sport

The Council’s vision is a world where responsibly produced sports events are the norm and its mission is to provide objective, independent verification of the socially and environmentally responsible work event organizers are doing, and to actively support event organizers who strive to make a difference in their communities.

The Council first offered third-party certification of event production practices according to a stakeholder-reviewed collection of sport-industry best practice standards in 2007.

GEO is proud to work with the Council for Responsible Sport. We have a shared vision and mission, which combines to offer golf tournaments the most effective pathway to credible recognition.

Find out more about the Council at http://www.councilforresponsiblesport.org

GEO certification review

GEO undertook a full review of all tournament and verification materials and evidence, ensuring:

• Comprehensiveness – that activities undertaken touched on all elements of the Tournaments Standard

• Consistency – that the verification approach was balanced, well weighted and with consistent depth of evaluation across criteria

• Accuracy - matching the verification report with evidence submitted by the tournament to ensure statements and claims were accurate.

4. Summary of practices, highlights and key performance indicators


Protecting nature

Conserving resources

Supporting communities

A comprehensive audit of all key elements of the event was undertaken, including:

A. Venue

Performance has been assessed across three key sustainability themes:

• Protecting nature• Conserving resources• Supporting communities

Incorporating specific actions in tournament staging and the international standard:

• Planning,• Site Protection,• Procurement,• Resource Management,• Access and Equity, and• Community Legacy

B. Staging

C. Legacy D. Communications

• Soil Protection: Protective covers or removal/replacement of ground cover under temporary structures

• Extensive pedestrian/traffi c cordoning and signage to protect native plants

• Cordoning off and protection of wild fowl nesting areas• Protection of the 15.2 surface acres of open water from

pollution• Winner of GCSAA ELGA award• Audubon International Signature Course• Participating in international OnCourse® program for

sustainable golf facility management.

• Wildlife and habitat preservation• Integrated Pest Management• Chemical-use reduction activities• Resource conservation• Water management - on-site weather station and

computer-controlled systems.

A. Venue


TPC Scottsdale is a 36-hole resort/public golf facility that sits in the McDowell foothills of the Sonoran Desert. The management team have shown a strong commitment to sustainability initiatives, with an extensive Turf Management and Environmental Management Plan.

The TPC Scottsdale has 16 acres on the 400-acre property that are devoted to naturalized habitat areas while a total of 200 acres are desert vegetation and landscaping. Several naturalized desert areas are located throughout the TPC Scottsdale property. Since the course is located within residential and commercial communities, it is a sanctuary for numerous mammal and bird species that remain safeguarded during WMPO activities.

The TPC Scottsdale has 16 acres on the 400-acre property that are devoted to naturalised habitat areas while a total of 200 acres are desert vegetation and landscaping

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B. Staging


As one of the world’s largest annual sporting events, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is aware of the potential negative impacts that can arise through the range of activities undertaken to present the event. A comprehensive plan is in place covering all aspects of waste, energy, procurement and water conservation.

Resources• Greenhouse Gas Emission reduction and

offsetting (100%) – through operations, player and volunteer travel, and increased activities through supply chain.

• Use of alternative fuel types (biodiesel, hybrid vehicles, etc), 100% of electricity powered by renewable energy sources (e.g. solar).

• Zero Waste Challenge – 100% waste diverted from landfill through donation, recycling, composting (zero waste stations)

• Reuse of materials – for example; 140,0000 golf balls, significant quantities of signage reused and food donation program.

• Strong procurement efforts – increasing expectations from partners and manufacturers and strong contractual WMPO Requirements for Acceptable Materials. (e.g. humanely-sourced meats, locally-sourced herbs, use of compostable packaging and food packaging)

Water • Restoration - education of fans

and financial support for water restoration in the Colorado River Basin and Verde River.

• Reduction of water use and diversion from municipal sources (e.g. hand sanitizers, water collection, reuse of grey water).

• Strong communication to spectators, staff and volunteers about reducing water use.

Social• Charitable donations – increased fan

involvement in charitable giving – e.g. Green Out day - $100k donated to three environmental organizations.

• Volunteering opportunities - volunteers from a wide range of groups were able to participate. 312 students participated in the Standard Bearer Program and 450 school children in the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day

• Community engagement – through free event entry to law enforcement, Ford Free Days and neighborhood engagement, promotion and education.

• Strong education and engagement activities: Zero Waste Stations, Short films developed on sustainability topics shown on shuttle buses and website, Instagram campaign to encourage engagement beyond tournament, etc.B

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The WMPO sustainability program set a strong plan to reduce the tournament’s environmental footprint and increase social value, including these initiatives:

“nearly every product observed that was prepackaged was in compostable packaging. Most food was served in reusable chafing dishes or serving platters onto compostable service ware. Beverage packaging was recyclable, and event champagne flutes were sourced to be entirely compostable”

B. Staging


Catering – “nearly every product observed that was prepackaged was in compostable packaging. Most food was served in reusable chafing dishes or serving platters onto compostable service ware. Beverage packaging was recyclable, and event champagne flutes were sourced to be entirely compostable”. Council for Responsible Sport Verification Report.H

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C. Legacy


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The Thunderbirds are a community group with a mission to raise and provide direct financial support to Phoenix based charities so that they may acquire and develop new community infrastructure, including support services for those living below the poverty line.

• Event economic impact assessment carried out at least every 3 years (2017 ASU-EIS)

• Charitable donations through Thunderbirds, with Birdies for Charity pledging donation directly to local charity groups around venue

• Extensive local community engagement, volunteering and hosting involvement (from military, school groups, Ak-Chin Indian Community, local residents)

• High awareness and action around accessibility

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“There was a robust and visible effort to engage military active service and veterans, as well as local children and teens from underserved communities. Mobility scooters were also highly visible and available for persons with age-related or mobility issues “

(WMPO evaluator comment)

“There was a robust and visible effort to engage military active service and veterans, as well as local children and teens from underserved communities. Mobility scooters were also highly visible and available for persons with age-related or mobility issues “

D. Communications


A comprehensive pre, during and post event communications strategy implemented to highlight all of the concrete actions undertaken by the tournament organisers, but also multiply the sustainability effect by involving and educating spectators and suppliers in sustainaiblity.. Communications addressed the key elements of sustainability, covering topics including nature conservation, recycling, charitable and community support, transport, water conservation and more.

Communications ensured multiple levels of interaction with the public, some to inform, others to involve and others to inspire.

Using a range of media: web, press, social, print and on-site signage, to ensure exposure and accessibility to all interested groups (local community, general public, attendees, NGO’s, residents, etc).

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• Fan signage and information on walkways to protect habitats etc.

• Press releases• Sustainability report• Social media campaign before

and during the event• Prioritizing online

communications to reduce paper use

• ‘Recycle Often. Recycle Right.TM’ waste bins fan education stations

• Charity partnerships and promotions to fans

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• Instagram and social media activities to extend reach of communications

• Strong presence of signage and interactive fun games to educate on waste management at the event

• Pre-event sustainability forum involving companies, NGOs, community groups, experts, etc looking at the more technical aspects of sustainability

5. Continual Improvement Points - 2017 to 2018


The concept of continual improvement, innovation and setting new and higher targets is an important aspect of GEO Certified® Tournaments and this certification reflects the tournament’s commitment to continue to extend on a year by year basis.

The following Continual Improvement Points were identified in 2017:

2017 CIP Response to 2017 CIPs

2.4 - Innovation - Educational signage or other visitor engagement to inform visitors of the type of wildlife at TPC Scottsdale, including any information about the sensitivity or disturbance to key species.

Extensive signage seen around habitat protection on rotation on the large reader boards placed throughout the venue. No further specific action on educating around biodiversity & wildlife was seen from last year.

3.5 - Extend Sustainable Food & Drinks Programme - Improve information around reporting and tracking of sustainability of food orders.

A strong supplier code and guidelines were distributed to all suppliers around materials, local sourcing, use of certified products and waste management implications of the products, including a red list (e.g. no Styrofoam). M’s Catering provides approx. 80% of food service at the event; and although there is no formal policy, they have strived to use local (e.g. herbs) and sustainability produced food and beverage options (e.g. humanely-produced meat).

4.3 - Strive towards “zero waste” - Consider how future year’s tournaments can reduce the sum total of waste generated through procurement, vendor relationships, and/or spectator engagement. E.g. providing incentives that would encourage reuse of beverage containers instead of using a new container for each ‘refill’ purchased at concession outlets.

The supplier code and guidelines further extending the reach of the ‘zero-waste’ ambition. Extensive activity around zero-waste – reuse (skim, balls, signage, bins), recycle (food composting, oil, packaging), very strong communications and engagement.

4.6 - Measure water consumption - Determine ways to reduce bottled water consumption by providing alternative sources of potable water to guests and staff.

The event did not specifically reduce bottled water this year, but a strong water conservation plan and communications to educate spectators around water use reduction was strong. Additional innovation credit was given for the water restoration activities through Bonneville Environmental Foundation and its ‘Change the Course’ efforts.



4.8 - Innovation-Water - Change the Course ‘Mug boards’ were lightly used in 2017. Consider ways to make them more integrated with other activities on-site, or station volunteers to invite and engage passer-bys to help explain why they are there.

Very strong public facing campaign to educate and involve spectators and much more use and engagement with the mug boards. Signage, volunteer and usher activity increased communication significantly.

4.10 - Calculate Carbon Footprint - Tracking GHG emissions generated from associated supply chain and purchases impacts. Future efforts may include requesting internal GHG impact summaries and/or Life Cycle Analyses of vendors’ operations and/or products be shared. E.g. reporting the GHG impacts of the tournament’s use of bottled water.

GHG related data was collected from tournament delivery partners using an improved methodology.

4.12 - Promote public transport and other low carbon travel - Recommend expansion of an incremental, multi-year plan to increase uptake and use of low carbon transportation options (or their private equivalents -e.g. without a focus on carpooling or carsharing.)

Effective communication around public transport options (which are few to get directly to the venue) to attendees, as well as promoted the use of biodiesel shuttles (1/3 available ran on biodiesel) and secure bicycle parking was provided.

4.13 - Mitigate carbon footprint - Consider a communications opportunity to invite and encourage vendors to voluntarily offset their own travel impacts through a promotional partnership or price with offsets supplier.

Vendor travel was calculated, but offsetting by suppliers was not included in the procurement policy.

6.5 - Community Legacy Innovation - Consider new ways for the Thunderbirds to share the stories of the work they are supporting in partnership with beneficiary charities on-site at the WMPO.

Thunderbirds and volunteers from their beneficiaries are involved in the tournament and the mugboard near the zero-waste station near the TPC Merch tent aims to increase exposure. The websites detail more around the work they do.



1.3 Choose sites that minimise environmental impacts The venue should consider more extensive reporting and recording of activities on the site

3.5 - Extend Sustainable Food & Drinks ProgrammeLocal sourcing of food and/or going entirely organic would be a strong improvement for the event. Working with M Culinary on a plan and outreach now for next year’s event to source, track and increase this across other products. 6.4 – Promoting Health and well-being and 5.3 inclusionExpanding the free experience golf opportunities (putting challenges, healthy golfing education booths) to include opportunities for disabled players to get introduced and involved in golf. Potentially also involving athletes with different abilities at the main or a side/pre-event could inspire others and raise awareness.

4.12 - Promote public transport and other low carbon travelFurther expanding the percentage of shuttle buses running on biodiesel, creating a ride-share solution and other creative solutions for alternative modes of transport to the event, would reduce carbon impact, as well as further educate/’call to action’ for spectators.

6. About GEO and Sustainability in and Through Golf


GEO Foundation is an international not-for-profit organization entirely dedicated to advancing sustainability in and through golf, collaborating wth the golf industry worldwide to:

• Strengthen the social and environmental contribution of golf

• Help the sport credibly communicate its commitment and value

• Champion sustainability in front of a large audience

GEO manages and assures the OnCourse® program for facility and course management, new golf development and tournaments – currently used in 100 countries worldwide.

In addition to the delivery of programs and solutions, GEO’s wider activities include research and innovation; communications and reporting and support for strategy and policy.

GEO also administers GEO Certified®, the international mark of credible and comprehensive sustainability in golf, and part of an elite group of well-known accredited ecolabels which include Fairtrade, Marine Stewardship Council, and Forest Stewardship Council. After completing OnCourse®, a golf facility, development or tournament can apply for this international distinction.

GEO Certified®

TOURNAMENT

cou NCI L for RESPONSIBLE

SPORT CHAMPIONS FOR A HEALTHIER WORLD.

geo certifi ed · 2018-11-08 · geo certification ltd, a subsidiary of geo foundation. about the...

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