Sustainability is nowadays a fundamental principle that should be carefully considered during the organisation process of an international sport event. Golf is intrinsically connected to nature and the environments the game is played, meaning that for example extreme weather conditions and climate change cause challenges to golf as a sport. Thus, The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is committed to integrating the theme of sustainability into the organisation process of the event. The tournament will be organised safely and professionally in good conditions, and each organisation involved in the organising of the tournament has a strong focus on sustainability through their own environmental and sustainability programs. Sustainability theme will be communicated to participants and audience on the tournament website and in the Bulletins.
Environmental sustainability
Each organisation involved in the organizing of the tournament has a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Kuortane Olympic Training Center’s goal for environmental sustainability is carbon neutrality by 2030. Ruuhikoski golf venue has its own environmental management system and development project for the venue’s own GEO environmental programme is ongoing. The Finnish Olympic Committee has its own sustainability programme, which is based on UN’s sustainable development goals. The Finnish Golf Union has an Eco-Compass environmental management system in place and is striving for carbon neutrality of Finnish Golf by 2030. The Finnish Golf Union is also committed to the UN's Sports for Climate Action goals.
One of the LOC’s solutions to reduce carbon emissions is to promote and utilize low-emission transport options for transporting participants within Finland. This will be done through promotion of low-emission arrival and departure options to and from the athletes’ village, such as trains and shared charter buses. During the tournament shared shuttle buses will be utilized to avoid unnecessary driving between the athletes’ village and the competition venue.
Existing facilities will be utilized to organize and run the competition and to accommodate participants. It is notable that 15 % of Kuortane Olympic Training Center’s energy needs are covered by solar energy produced on site. We will strive
for a resource-friendly approach and modern waste management throughout the organisation process of the tournament. We will also serve vegetarian food and monitor the amount of food-waste. Material purchases are made on a needs basis and the total amount of waste is kept as low as possible. Shirts purchased for volunteers are OEKO-TEX ® STANDARD 100 certified, which means that fewer harmful substances are used in their manufacture. Also reusable water bottles will be distributed to the players and they are encouraged to use them, as tap water is totally drinkable in Finland.
One of the LOC’s solutions to reduce carbon emissions is to promote and utilize low-emission transport options for transporting participants within Finland. This will be done through promotion of low-emission arrival and departure options to and from the athletes’ village, such as trains and shared charter buses. During the tournament shared shuttle buses will be utilized to avoid unnecessary driving between the athletes’ village and the competition venue.
Existing facilities will be utilized to organize and run the competition and to accommodate participants. It is notable that 15 % of Kuortane Olympic Training Center’s energy needs are covered by solar energy produced on site. We will strive
for a resource-friendly approach and modern waste management throughout the organisation process of the tournament. We will also serve vegetarian food and monitor the amount of food-waste. Material purchases are made on a needs basis and the total amount of waste is kept as low as possible. Shirts purchased for volunteers are OEKO-TEX ® STANDARD 100 certified, which means that fewer harmful substances are used in their manufacture. Also reusable water bottles will be distributed to the players and they are encouraged to use them, as tap water is totally drinkable in Finland.
Social sustainability
The tournament brings together participating officials, players, volunteers and audiences from different countries and cultures around the world. It is therefore a great opportunity to make new contacts and network, enabling an exchange of knowledge between participants. Through the values of sport and golf the tournament promotes non-discriminatory culture, good behaviour, fair play and tolerance. The participation of civil society through volunteers from different backgrounds strengthens mutual respect and social cohesion.
Economic sustainability
The tournament will be organised in financially sustainable way through detailed budgeting, competitive tendering for purchased services, pooling of resources among organising organizations, selection of cost-effective alternatives and active recruitment of sponsors. The budget is regularly reviewed and, for example, tenders for transport services and products purchased have mainly involved local service providers and existing business partners. These solutions contribute to the economic health of the host organizations and help to create local economic activity in the Kuortane and Seinäjoki area.
Carbon footprint of the event
Our goal throughout the organisation process has been to effectively limit the carbon footprint of the 2024 WUC Golf tournament. This is reflected in our choices in areas
such as infrastructure, partnerships, transport and waste management. However, our solutions to make the tournament more environmentally, socially and financially sustainable will not completely eliminate the event's carbon footprint.
To estimate the carbon footprint of the tournament, we have used a climate calculator based on the GHG Protocol standards. Estimate of the carbon dioxide load:
Organisation of the event (preparation, infrastructure, catering, waste management, etc.) about 15 000 kg CO2 emissions.
Transport (players, organisation, audience, stakeholders) about 8 800 kg CO2 emissions.
This estimate is based on calculations made by the Finnish Golf Federation for similar events in the past.
such as infrastructure, partnerships, transport and waste management. However, our solutions to make the tournament more environmentally, socially and financially sustainable will not completely eliminate the event's carbon footprint.
To estimate the carbon footprint of the tournament, we have used a climate calculator based on the GHG Protocol standards. Estimate of the carbon dioxide load:
Organisation of the event (preparation, infrastructure, catering, waste management, etc.) about 15 000 kg CO2 emissions.
Transport (players, organisation, audience, stakeholders) about 8 800 kg CO2 emissions.
This estimate is based on calculations made by the Finnish Golf Federation for similar events in the past.
Legacy
The LOC of the 2024 FISU World University Golf Championships strongly believes that the inclusion of sustainability as a key theme in the organisation process of the tournament will create a positive legacy. In our opinion, it is difficult to imagine a legacy without sustainability. By estimating and transparently reporting the carbon footprint of the tournament and highlighting sustainability as an important theme, the LOC hopes to set a positive example for the future FISU WUC Golf Organising Committees.