The 2025 Fairways to Nature Conference, a joint initiative by The R&A and the French Golf Federation (ffgolf), brought together leading voices from golf, sustainability and science to explore how the sport can play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation.
The event, which was supported by the European Commission and took place at Maison de l’Océan, Paris in February, saw key figures from across the golf industry, environmental science and major sporting events share insights from within golf and beyond and explore how the sport can be a champion for biodiversity conservation.
Pascal Grizot, President of ffgolf, said, “This programme is very important as we demonstrate that golf is good for nature. We play in nature and have a responsibility with nature.
“We were delighted to join with The R&A and welcome so many different organisations to Paris to collaborate, share insights and learn together.”
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, emphasised, “The vision we have for golf is that the sport is thriving in 50 years’ time. The R&A can’t do it all, and this is the perfect example where we are helping support through this event and inviting national federations across Europe and Africa to share best practices. “We are very proud to be working alongside ffgolf in supporting their golf and biodiversity programme and this conference gave us an opportunity to showcase this on a European level and also on an international level.” More than 110 international organisations from across Europe and Africa came together for the unique event, hosted by Sky Sports News presenter and sustainability lead, David Garrido. “Sport needs events like this as sport on its own cannot solve everything,” he said. There were a number of key discussions and insights:
Biodiversity and major sporting events
A highlight of the conference was a panel discussing how large-scale events can integrate biodiversity conservation. Representatives from the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Tour de France and The R&A’s sustainability team shared strategies to balance high-profile competitions with nature-positive actions while Flora Artzner, Wingfoil World Champion and Roca Cup Organiser, provided an inspiring talk on the role of athletes and events. Paul Armitage, Golf Sport Manager for the Paris 2024 Olympics held at Le Golf National, reinforced the message, “The impossible doesn’t exist. There are ways of putting on a major sporting event and being creative with infrastructure to protect nature.”
Scientific research in golf
Experts from PatriNat, ffgolf, and the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research addressed the role of golf courses in biodiversity research. Discussions covered how golf courses act as vital green spaces, fostering ecosystems and offering opportunities for long-term environmental studies. A keynote presentation from Gilles Boeuf, Former President, Museum of Natural history, brought much of the science to the fore. “Golf needs nature, nature needs golf,” he said. “From the moment we take that into consideration, it changes everything.”
Changing perceptions in golf and beyond
The final session focused on how the industry can shift public perceptions of golf through effective communication and conservation efforts. Speakers from the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, European Tour Group, and the RSPB highlighted the importance of education and awareness in embedding sustainability into the sport’s future. Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, noted, “Embracing sustainability is good for the future of the game. From a business perspective, playability point of view, and popularity of the sport, it is important we communicate both within the game to get people excited and externally to show that the industry cares and is committed to taking action.” As part of The R&A’s #GolfCourse2030 initiative, the insights from the conference will inform ongoing projects and strategies to promote biodiversity. With continued collaboration between sporting bodies, researchers, and course managers, golf is well-positioned to lead in environmental stewardship. John Kemp, Assistant Director – Sustainable Golf Development at The R&A, concluded, “We had a diverse audience from those within golf, those within sport and those in nature conservation. For us the idea of collaboration, cross industry input, across different sectors is so vitally important because exchanging ideas gives us the opportunity to do so much more, to learn from so much more and drive forward together.”
Launch of European working groups to take action
The European Golf and Biodiversity Working Groups are set to lead from the front with passion and appetite for collective action within the golf industry. The conference heralded the official launch of the working groups as representatives from key bodies across golf in Europe gathered in Paris. The working groups have been structured around four core workstreams:
- Actions and Practical Measures – Ensuring clubs and Federations have the right tools to take impactful steps toward biodiversity conservation.
- Education and Engagement – Helping different audiences, from players to scientists, understand the role of golf in nature conservation.
- Data and Research – Leveraging existing information and identifying gaps to better measure golf’s impact on biodiversity.
- Communication – Changing the perception of golf and highlighting its role in supporting nature.
Claire Pignon, Biodiversity Officer, FFGolf and joint-coordinator of the working groups, commented, “Golf is more than just a sport, it is sport played in nature and with nature. It is important we work together with other federations and other organisations outside of the golf industry to share knowledge and best practice.” Kemp added, “Collaboration is key to everything in the golf industry. What we see in the European Golf and Biodiversity Working Groups is the real appetite to work collectively for the greater good – for the industry, for golf, for sport, but also for the planet.” The momentum marks an important step forward. As part of #GolfCourse2030, these Working Groups will continue driving golf and nature. For further information you can access the Golf and Biodiversity: Fairways to Nature summary here.
