Estimated energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with golf course turfgrass maintenance in the Northern USA

Abstract

Carbon sequestration in golf course soils has received some attention, but energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from golf course turfgrass maintenance are poorly quantified. This study developed a model to estimate energy consumption and GHG emissions from golf turf maintenance and applied the model to 14 golf courses located in the northern USA over a 3‐yr period. Energy use and GHG emissions that result from golf course maintenance operations were divided into three scopes. Scope 1 consisted of onsite emissions ( n  = 14), Scope 2 consisted of offsite emissions ( n  = 7), and Scope 3 consisted of supply chain (upstream) emissions ( n  = 7). Scope 1 emissions primarily result from onsite fuel use, Scope 2 emissions primarily result from offsite electricity generation, and Scope 3 emissions primarily result from the production and transport of goods and materials (e.g., machines, fertilizers, pesticides) to the golf course. All scopes were combined to calculate total energy use and emissions ( n  = 4). Mean area‐normalized Scope 1 energy use was 24 GJ ha –1  yr –1 , mean Scope 2 energy use was 7 GJ ha –1  yr –1 , mean Scope 3 energy use was 40 GJ ha –1  yr –1 and the mean of all scopes was 72 GJ ha –1  yr –1 . Mean area‐normalized Scope 1 emissions were 1,599 kg CO 2 e ha –1  yr –1 , mean Scope 2 emissions were 1,012 kg CO 2 e ha –1  yr –1 , mean Scope 3 emissions were 1,847 kg CO 2 e ha –1  yr –1 and the mean of all scopes was 4,277 kg CO 2 e ha –1  yr –1 . Fuel and electricity use accounted for 63% of all GHG emissions. Electrifying golf course maintenance equipment and sourcing electricity generated from renewable sources are likely the most effective ways for golf course turfgrass maintenance emissions to be reduced. Greenhouse gas emissions from golf course maintenance can be quantified using life cycle analysis. Mean emissions from golf course maintenance were 4,277 kg CO 2 e ha –1  yr –1 . Fuel and electricity use together accounted for 63% of all GHG emissions.