KLM Open

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KLM OpenA muti-partner initiative from KLM, ABN AMRO, Deloitte and organizer THIS IS GOLF, The KLM Open is working towards making the Dutch tournament on the European Tour one of the most sustainable sport events in Europe.

The organizers took steps that made this year’s event more sustainable than in the past. A climate neutral tournament, where the footprint of the event after taking preventive measures is measured and compensated for, was the starting point.

Hilversumsche Golfclub

Dating from 1910, Hilversumsche is a typical forest and heathland course with long fairways. During the KLM Open Hilversumche Golfclub received GEO Certification along with 16 other Dutch golf clubs.

Hilversumsche Golf Club, venue for the KLM Open, receives GEO Certification from Ronald Pfieffer, President of the Nederlandse Golf Federatie. 

Staging

In a relatively short timeframe, a number of innovative measures were undertaken by event organizers THIS IS GOLF, with positive and willing responses from partners, sponsors and suppliers playing a major part in the endeavor:

  • Diesel aggregates used to supply power for the tournament were replaced by three transformers connected to the local electricity network. The electricity supply, delivered by Nuon, is 100% green which means it has been generated by sustainable energy sources such as wind, water and sun. The ‘green’ power supply demanded an investment of €150,000. After three years the new energy supply will save 50% on the original energy costs.
  • Catering company Maison van den Boer used mostly organic food (including fish selections based on the Fish Buying Guide (Viswijzer) and organic meat) and drink, biodegradable disposable cutlery in their catering for the public, Fair Trade coffee beans and the refuse is separated.
  • Van Gansewinkel took care of separate refuse (plastic, paper, steel, glass and residual waste) across the entire site so that as much waste as possible is suitable for recycling. Van Gansewinkel is leading in the Netherlands in the cradle to cradle concept of refuse.
  • Admission passes were biodegradable.
  • The organisation uses electric scooters and buggies for transportation on the grounds.
  • The players are transported in Green Labled BMWs that use less fuel.
  • The machines used for course maintenance run on biodiesel.

In addition to reduction and prevention measures, the residual CO2 emissions generated during The KLM Open were measured and compensated for according to the Gold Standard seal of approval.

Legacy

In addition to the reduction and prevention measures, the residual CO2 emissions generated during the tournament were measured and compensated for according to the Gold Standard seal of approval. WWF was a co-founder of this mark of approval in 2003.

Research commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) shows that the measures prescribed by the Gold Standard programme are the best way to compensate for CO2 emissions. The Gold Standard programme prescribes offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by producing clean energy (wind, solar, biomass) in small-scale projects, mainly in developing countries. In addition, attention is paid to socio-economic benefits of projects.

The Climate Neutral Group calculated the total CO2 emissions of the KLM Open and oversaw the process towards climate neutrality. The CO2 emissions has been calculated before and after the tournament. Financially, the amount needed to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from both the KLM Open and the ABN AMRO Ladies Open was calculated at €20,000. This amount has been paid by the partners KLM, ABN AMRO and Deloitte and invested in a wind power project in Taiwan, where 34 wind turbines are being built to provide the local population with energy and which are an alternative to polluting fossil energy.