The climate impact of golf courses (NEW)

For over twenty years Jonathan has dedicated his career to helping advance sustainability in and through golf.

A geographer and graduate of the University of St Andrews, he led the environmental team at Scottish Golf before founding GEO in 2006 with the mission of helping golf become stronger and more resilient through sustainability, and to establish itself as the leading sport.

Over that time, and working alongside a growing team of sustainable golf professionals, Jonathan has helped to:

• facilitate extensive collaboration around the world
• develop the ‘sustainability agenda’ that now guides the efforts of many associations and clubs
• design the OnCourse® support programmes for clubs, new developments and tournaments (now adopted in over 75 countries).

He has also advocated widely at events and through media; and represented golf in the mainstream sustainability movement amongst governments, NGO’s and businesses. 

He has led GEO to become the only body in sport to meet the rigorous ISEAL Alliance criteria for sustainability standards, certification and reporting systems, joining peer groups such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council. He has also directly advised some of golf’s leading associations, tours and tournaments including The R&A; European Tour; Ryder Cup Europe; LPGA and Ladies European Tour; and Olympic Golf.

Jonathan is a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, and a recent  Board member of the ISEAL Alliance. He lives near North Berwick, enjoys playing and watching many sports, and spending time in the great outdoors, including on some fantastic local golf courses!

John Kemp has worked in the golf industry for 18 years and holds a BA in Golf Management, a Professional Diploma for the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, CMDip from Club Managers Association of Europe and is an R&A Greenkeeping Scholar.

As Project Manager - Golf Course 2030 at The R&A he is responsible for leading the industry to develop practical solutions to the key sustainability priorities for golf courses globally.