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Hero Dubai Desert Classic To Protect Planet & Make It Environmentally-Safe | |
| Sumita Pawar |
Organizers of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic have announced a series of environmental measures, a report states.
It has announced the tournament as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the planet and promote sustainability.
At the Emirates Golf Club, where the Rolex Series event is happening right now, there are a number of key steps being taken to make it the most eco-friendly event yet.
According to the report, the measures will aim to reduce waste and emissions, water consumption, and energy consumption in an important year for the UAE.
The UAE President's Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2023 the "Year of Sustainability," and the UAE Government will look to drive change when the country hosts the COP 28 Climate Change Conference later this year, according to the report.
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The tournament is focused on becoming a carbon-neutral event, following the DP World Tour’s announcement that all five of its Rolex Series events in 2023 will adopt sustainable approaches to help reduce carbon footprint and advance climate mitigation, as highlighted in the report.
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: "With more importance placed on caring for our planet than ever before, the responsibility lies within all of us to ensure we protect the environment for ourselves, our children, and future generations, and we are committed to doing our part in this collective journey."
"By working hand-in-hand with a variety of organizations that are experts in their fields, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic environmental initiatives being implemented will help us deliver a more sustainable tournament."
Among the initiatives that are being introduced at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic are high-quality filtered water dispenser systems, provided by Liquid of Life and Al Laith.
The five dispenser systems installed around the Majlis Course and in Tournament Town will reduce the use of an estimated 40,000 single-use water bottles by players, caddies, officials, and spectators across the event, according to the report.
According to the report, by installing these systems, the event is supporting Dubai Can, a sustainability initiative that aims to reduce single-use plastic water bottle waste in Dubai and drive awareness of plastic alternatives and sustainability issues.
To help reduce carbon emissions, organisers are encouraging visitors to travel by the Dubai Metro, as the tournament has Al Khail Metro Station almost on-site—in fact, you could probably chip from the station door and make the fairway!
As the UAE National Tree, the Ghaf tree is drought-resistant and possibly the sturdiest plant in the desert environment.
The planting programme follows the vision of the UAE’s leadership in raising awareness of the living desert, the Ghaf tree, and its values, encouraging people to plant indigenous trees and save water.
At the event, members of the public will be able to take the pots with the seeds home with them and learn how to care for the seeds as they grow into a Ghaf tree, said the report.
In addition, the daily newsletters, written and published by Motivate Media Group, a tournament partner, have been printed on sustainable paper that is certified by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
There are also a number of enjoyable and informative activities at the Sustainability Corner at Tournament Town, where adults and children can take part in DIY and urban farming workshops.
As part of the Go for the Green initiative, there will also be an activation stand at the Sustainability Corner where people can pledge to be more eco-friendly, whether it is using reusable bags, recycling more, or cutting down on food waste.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has already drawn some of the biggest names in golf, including World Number One and two-time champion Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Ryan Fox, according to the report.
According to the report, the tournament is well-known for being a family-friendly event with plenty of great entertainment for people of all ages.