Integration of environmental management systems into the planning phase of golf course development in Finland

Abstract

This thesis investigates the integration of environmental management systems (EMS) into the planning phase of golf course development in Finland. Golf courses have the opportunity to serve as valuable green spaces and as important biodiversity habitats, but their development often creates environmental challenges related to resource consumption, chemical use and landscape alternation. Despite the growing environmental awareness in the golf industry, systematic approaches to environmental management are typically implemented during operational phases rather than being integrated from the earliest planning stages. This thesis examines current EMS implementation practices in Finnish golf development and identifies opportunities and challenges for integrating environmental management considerations during the planning phase of golf course development. To understand current practices and the opportunities and challenges of EMS implementation, data was collected through content analysis of EMS frameworks promoted in the Finnish golf industry and semi-structured interviews with five golf industry’s internal stakeholders, including golf course CEO, professional greenkeepers and course designers. Interview data was analysed thematically to identify stakeholder perspectives on EMS integration opportunities and challenges. The examined theoretical frameworks included Golf Course 2030 by the R&A and GEO Sustainable Golf Development Voluntary Sustainability Standard for Development by GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. The results revealed implementation gaps between theoretical EMS frameworks and practical application in golf course development. While all stakeholders demonstrated high environmental awareness, EMS knowledge remained limited to one golf-specific operational program, limiting the opportunity to explore alternative frameworks that might be more compatible. The study identified structural barriers in EMS implementation, particularly the late involvement of golf industry stakeholders in site selection decisions, which creates permanent constraints on environmental performance in the course. Additional challenges included transportation-related emissions and remote locations, limited organizational resources and cultural expectations. Stakeholders reported positive economic outcomes from existing EMS implementation, including improved financial terms and operational cost reductions. While the seasonal nature of Finnish golf was initially perceived as a constraint, stakeholders found opportunities that can support diverse land use and community access during off-season. The findings of this thesis suggest that successful EMS integration into golf course planning requires tackling structural constraints in development processes to ensure early involvement of golf industry expertise and supporting cultural shifts toward more sustainable practices