Greenlinks | AIG Women's Open

The AIG Women’s Open is committed to playing our part in a more sustainable future.

Through Greenlinks, The R&A's programme for sustainable championships, the AIG Women's Open is working to reduce environmental impact, support local communities and protect the natural environment. From sustainable catering and low carbon transport to biodiversity protection and circular resource management, discover some of the ways Greenlinks is helping deliver a more sustainable Championship.

A man fills a bottle at the free refill station at the AIG Women's Open in 2026.

Making Space for Nature

Making Space for Nature is a Greenlinks activation at the AIG Women's Open that demonstrates how golf can create positive environmental and social impact through meaningful conservation projects and community engagement.

2026 AIG Women's Open: Supporting Red Squirrel Recovery

At the 2026 AIG Women's Open, we partnered with Lancashire Wildlife Trust and the Red Squirrel Recover Network to deliver a nature-themed activation in the Kid Zone, helping young spectators learn more about one of the UK's most iconic nature species.
Throughout championship week, children and their families were invited to decorate squirrel feeders while discovering the challenges facing the UK's native red squirrel population. In total, an incredible 189 squirrel feeders were decorated during the event.
Far more than a creative activity, the feeders will now play an important role in conservation efforts along the Sefton Coast. Working with the Red Squirrel Recovery Network, the feeders will be installed within woodland habitats as part of an ongoing monitoring and mapping project. This work will help conservation teams identify the presence and distribution of both red and grey squirrels, providing valuable information to support habitat management and the continued recovery of red squirrel populations.

Children sit at a wooden table painting squirrel boxes.

Building on Previous Success

The 2026 activation builds on the success of the 2025 AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl, where Greenlinks partnered with the RSPB on the Making Space for Nature project. Through that initiative, children decorated bird boxes which were finished by local community groups before being distributed to golf courses across Wales, helping to create new habitats for local birdlife.
Together, these projects demonstrate how golf and nature do not simply coexist but can actively support one another. Through Making Space for Nature, we aim to inspire future generations, support local conservation efforts and showcase the valuable role golf courses can play in protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

Watch the video below to discover how Making Space for Nature is creating lasting environmental impacts through the AIG Women's Open.

Protecting Nature

Nature is a fundamental part of every AIG Women's Open venue, and protecting it is a key focus of Greenlinks. Prior to the Championship, detailed ecological surveys are undertaken to understand the biodiversity across the golf facility and identify local plant and animal species. The findings help inform Championship planning, ensuring sensitive habitats are protected, wildlife disturbance is minimised, and opportunities to support local biodiversity are identified. Spectator routes, infrastructure and operational areas are carefully designed to reduce environmental impact and preserve natural habitats, while guidance and awareness initiatives help staff, contractors and volunteers support biodiversity throughout Championship week.

A man walks hand-in-hand with two girls alongside a golf hole at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Sustainable Championship Agronomy

The R&A’s Sustainable Championship Agronomy Team works with Championship venues to prepare high-performing golf courses that are good for both the game and nature.
By working with natural systems and selecting turfgrasses that require fewer inputs, sustainable agronomy helps create resilient playing surfaces while supporting local biodiversity. The team also works with venues to adopt innovative technologies, including electric greenkeeping equipment and robotic mowers, helping to reduce environmental impact while maintaining world class Championship conditions.
Through this approach, the courses that host our Championships deliver first-class playing surfaces alongside strong environmental stewardship, demonstrating how high-performance sport and nature can thrive together.

The AIG Women's Open Water Initiative

The AIG Women's Open Water Initiative, delivered in partnership with Mastercard and the Priceless Planet Coalition, is a key part of how sustainability is brought to life across The R&A’s Championships.
Since its launch, the initiative has prevented the equivalent of more than 750,000 single-use plastic bottles from being used across Championships.

Energy Management

Energy management plays an important role in reducing the environmental impact of the AIG Women's Open. Working closely with delivery partners, efforts are made to improve energy efficiency across the Championship through careful planning, efficient equipment and smart power management. These measures help reduce energy consumption while supporting the delivery of a world-class sporting event.

Low Carbon Transport

Reducing transport emissions is a key focus of the AIG Women's Open. Sustainable travel options are actively promoted for spectators, staff and volunteers, including public transport services and dedicated shuttle connections and journey planning tools that help identify lower-carbon travel options. Electric vehicles form an important part of the courtesy car fleet, while free secure bicycle parking is also provided to encourage active travel.

Sustainable Catering

Sustainable catering plays an important role in delivering a more sustainable AIG Women's Open. Working with catering partners, responsibly sourced food and drink options are promoted across the Championship, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of food service operations. Careful planning and initiatives to minimise single-use packaging and food waste help reduce resource consumption, while surplus food is redistributed where possible to support local communities.

Moving Towards Circularity

Reducing waste and keeping materials in use for as long as possible is a key part of the Championship's sustainability approach. By working closely with contractors, suppliers and charitable organisations, materials used during the AIG Women's Open are reused, repurposed or recycled wherever possible. This circular approach helps minimise waste, reduce the need for new resources and create benefits for local communities. Where materials cannot be reused or recycled, alternative recovery options are prioritised to maximise resource value and avoid landfill.

Working In Partnership

Bringing Greenlinks to life is a collective endeavour. From venues and suppliers to staff, volunteers, fans and local communities, sustainability is embedded throughout the planning and delivery of our Championships.
Working together, we continue to innovate, share knowledge and identify new opportunities to reduce environmental impact, create social value and a positive legacy in the places that host our events.

Play Your Part

Sustainability is a shared responsibility. As you plan your visit and enjoy The AIG Women's Open, there are plenty of simple ways you can help reduce impact and support Greenlinks.

Travel by public transport, bicycle or car share where possible. Our journey planning tool, powered by You.Smart.Thing., can help you identify lower-carbon travel options. Free bicycle parking is also available on site.
Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it for free at Water Walls across the venue or purchase a reusable bottle on site.
Use the recycling bins located throughout the course.
Keep to designated walkways and crossing points to help protect sensitive habitats and local wildlife.
Enjoy responsibly sourced food and drink from our catering outlets.
Visit the Making Space for Nature activation to learn about this year’s featured conservation project and the positive impact golf can have on nature. Meet members of The R&A team and our project partners to discover how Greenlinks is creating environmental and social benefits through the AIG Women’s Open.