Abu Dhabi’s trio of golf clubs, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, all of which are owned by Aldar Properties, have eliminated all single-use plastic bottles from its premises as of February 2020, underlining their commitment to environmental sustainability. A combined total of over 300,000 plastic water bottles are consumed by golfers across Troon Abu Dhabi properties on a yearly basis. Joining the global movement to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics and conserve the environment, Troon Abu Dhabi’s goal to reduce this figure by 40 per cent this year. Members and guests will be encouraged to use and refill their own reusable water bottles from the water coolers throughout their round. This follows the lead by the R&A who removed single-use plastic bottles at the 2019 Open Championship.
Commenting on the new sustainable initiative Francisco de Lancastre David, cluster general manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, said: “As plastic waste and pollution increases, we should all be making a conscious effort to do our part. I’m proud to have all three golf clubs onboard with this new sustainable initiative, which will reduce our carbon footprint significantly and hoping that our members and visitors will encourage this when visiting the course.”
All three golf clubs are committed to preserving the environment and promoting environmental best practices. With that in mind, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is actively participating in the Audubon certification process to become a certified sanctuary. The International Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting diversity in bird species. The programs include habitat protection, green energy development, and the management of protected areas while encouraging the public to become a part of the birding community. The emphasis is on conserving urban habitats by promoting planting trees and dedicating time to creating bird friendly environment. The golf club is home to over 180 bird species, families of Mountain Gazelle and is also a natural nesting area for the Hawksbill turtles, all these elements create an unparalleled experience which should be taken good care of. The program is designed with sensitivity to the surrounding natural environment and in compliance with strict environmental guidelines.
To further cement their green footprint and dedication to making a difference, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club are already accredited for a number of certifications; such as Environmental Planning, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management and Chemical use Reduction and Safety. The move to eliminate single-use plastic from all three golf clubs is in line with the clubs’ owner, Aldar Properties’ sustainability strategy which is built around the key pillars of economy, community, people and environment. In December 2019, Aldar launched its first sustainability report which outlines its strategy and initiatives in detail.
