4 Ways WM Phoenix Open Showcases Climate Action Leadership
The WM Phoenix Open - the world’s largest zero waste event - joined the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2019, becoming the first golf tournament to join the landmark voluntary initiative.
Emerging out of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, the Sports for Climate Action Framework “aims to provide sports organizations with a forum where they can pursue climate action in a consistent and mutually supportive fashion by learning from each other, disseminating good practices, lessons learned, developing new tools and collaborating on areas of mutual interest.”
The framework outlines five principles (outlined below) signatories must incorporate into strategies, policies and procedures while publicly advocating for environmental sustainability for long-term success beyond the context of sport.
Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility.
Reduce overall climate impact.
Educate for climate action.
Promote sustainability and responsible consumption.
Advocate for climate action through communication.
What is particularly exciting for the future of the framework is seeing how the WM Phoenix Open’s successful implementation of activities will translate across other signatories. Here’s how they show framework leadership as early adopters in the golf industry:
1) Procurement: It goes without saying – but we’ll say it anyways – the WM Phoenix Open would not be able to enforce their zero waste sustainability expectations without the backing of the host organization, the Thunderbirds. Alongside the Thunderbirds, WM provides a hands-on approach to onboarding new vendors and supporting existing vendors by introducing them to suppliers, reviewing their purchases, and inspecting everything that comes on property tournament week, including daily on-site coaching and mentoring. The purpose of the hands-on approach isn’t to tell vendors what to do, but rather to help them understand how and why their actions are tied to the larger picture of sustainability and operating within the zero-waste philosophy.
Framework Principles Applied: Principles 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
WM offers daily training to ensure their vendors’ employees understand the material management system and that everyone on course complies with their zero waste policies.
2) Gamification: As I reviewed in my March newsletter article, Recycling Confusion is Par for the Course, educating the public on the proper ways to dispose of waste and recyclables is pivotal for our global community to preserve natural resources, decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, transition to a circular economy and decrease waste. With over 700,000 fans in attendance annually, educating and engaging with fans is one of the WM’s highest priorities. Games like the ‘Zero Waste Pop-a-Shot’ and interactive spaces like ‘The Green Scene’ (a recycling education experience) work to shift attendees’ behaviors around the goods they buy and the waste they produce in their daily lives.
Framework Principles Applied: Principles 1, 3, 4 & 5
Patrons play the Zero Waste Pop-a-Shot. To get a point, they must get the right material in the right hoop. They risk losing a point if a ’compostable’ labeled basketball is shot into the recycle bin.
The WM Green Scene offers a hands-on recycling exhibition focusing on materials, GHG emissions and water.
3) Social Media Activation: Much of the climate action we see today is influenced and initiated by our younger generations: Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. Through two social media campaigns, #bintheredonethat and #recycleright, WM has interacted with younger generations in a space that offers creative outlets and educational opportunities in fun and non-threatening environments.
Framework Principles Applied: Principles 1, 3, 4 & 5
The #bintheredonethat contest encouraged fans to recycle right for the chance to win a WM Phoenix Open VIP experience.
4) WM Sustainability Forum: Held annually in conjunction with the tournament, the WM Sustainability Forum is designed to bring together an eclectic mix of “experts, customers, academia, government employees, NGO’s, businesses and the next generation of leaders to share insights, exchange ideas and create innovative strategies.” If you missed the virtual 2021 WM Sustainability Forum, you can read our Driving the Green recap or visit the WM Sustainability Forum website.
Framework Principles Applied: Principles 1, 3, 4 & 5
Tara Hemmer, WM Senior Vice President, Operations, presents at the WM Sustainability Forum.
Past WM Sustainability Forum panelists include John Kerry, the 68th U.S. Secretary of State and the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate under President Biden.
