The International Golf Federation (IGF) has taken a significant step towards sustainability by announcing a partnership with the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation. This four-year agreement, which will begin in January 2025 and run through 2028, aims to strengthen environmental management and climate action in the sport of golf. The collaboration comes at a key moment, as sustainability has become a priority for many sports organizations and their partners worldwide.
With this agreement, the IGF and the GEO Foundation will work together to implement world-class sustainability practices at the World Amateur Team Championships and in golf’s participation in the Olympic Games, among other competitions. This partnership is also aligned with the IGF’s commitment to following international frameworks on climate and biodiversity, with the goal of having a positive impact on future generations.
A BOOST TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY
The collaboration will provide IGF Member Federations with the resources, tools, and knowledge necessary to implement sustainability strategies in their activities. Additionally, the GEO Foundation, as a signatory to the United Nations Sports Climate Action Framework and the IUCN Sport for Nature Initiative, will offer expert guidance to reduce golf’s carbon footprint. This aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing golf as an environmentally responsible sport.
Both organizations are working with an integrated approach, which includes promoting environmental responsibility among players and the golfing community, as well as accelerating collective action to achieve tangible results. According to Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of the GEO Foundation, this partnership has the potential to make golf a leading sport in sustainability, creating a positive and lasting legacy in the sporting world and global communities.