Sunday, March 3, 2024
Costa Navarino has emphasized its dedication to sustainability in golf course management by securing GEO Certified® status for both The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, marking a landmark achievement in its commitment to environmental stewardship, resource conservation, community enrichment, and climate action. This accolade establishes it as the premier multi-course destination in the Eastern Mediterranean to receive such recognition.
The GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, an international body, oversees the certification process. Carole Kerrey, Certification Manager, praised Costa Navarino for its sustainability efforts, noting that its planning and operational practices at the Bay and Dunes courses not only meet but exceed certification requirements, thanks to some forward-thinking initiatives.
David Ashington, General Manager at Costa Navarino Golf, said: “We are delighted to achieve GEO Certified® status for The Dunes Course and The Bay Course. This international certification acknowledges our long-standing commitment to sustainable golf development. Since the launch of Costa Navarino – and even before, during construction – several ground-breaking initiatives were introduced, to ensure sustainable performance across the golf courses and the destination. We work hard to continue improving these practices and to ensure that all our golfers and guests can enjoy the best possible experience in these spectacular natural surroundings.”
Costa Navarino stands out in the Eastern Mediterranean for its sustainable practices, which include advanced water management systems established through extensive regional water resource studies, leading to the creation of water reservoirs harmoniously integrated into the landscape. These, along with recycled water, sufficiently meet irrigation needs while implementing water-saving measures.
Significant efforts in climate action involve collaboration with Stockholm University and the Academy of Athens since 2009 through the Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO), contributing to climate change research in the Eastern Mediterranean. The destination boasts Europe’s largest olive tree transplanting program, with over 7,000 trees replanted, and features the earth-sheltered Bay Clubhouse, surrounded by 27,500 plants and trees.
Costa Navarino’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability has been recognized globally, winning titles such as “Best Sustainable Destination” by the World Travel & Tourism Council and ‘Europe’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ at the World Golf Awards. Its efforts in reducing emissions by 80% in 2022 (compared to 2019) are part of a broader decarbonization strategy aimed at achieving net-zero operations by 2050. The destination has also made significant strides in waste reduction, particularly in single-use plastics, in collaboration with WWF Greece, contributing to a 50% reduction in 2023 compared to 2019, alongside generating significant economic benefits for the local region of Messinia.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
