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For the first time, document processes at the tournament will be entirely carbon balanced as employees and media take an environmentally responsible approach to their daily tasks. Unavoidable carbon emissions will also be offset through carbon credits.

The Sustainability Optimisation Programme, recently awarded first prize in the EFQM Sustainability Good Practice Competition, is a consultancy service that helps organisations become carbon neutral across their document management processes.

At the Ricoh Women’s British Open 2011, all Ricoh devices will be set to energy efficient default settings, and employees and journalists in the media centre will be reminded of ways to act more environmentally responsible. For example, sending digital documents wherever possible and printing in black and white, or double sided. At the end of the tournament, all remaining, unavoidable carbon emissions will be offset through carbon credits generated by clean energy projects in which Ricoh has invested. The Programme is being implemented as part of a partnership between Ricoh, the LGU, LET, LPGA and IMG.

Javier Diez-Aguirre, Director of Corporate Communications, Ricoh Europe, said: “As an international sporting event, the Ricoh Women’s British Open sets an example for other tournaments to act in a more sustainable way. At Ricoh, environmental responsibility it is at the heart of everything we do. Our holistic approach to activation of our sponsorship at the Ricoh Women’s British Open connects Ricoh’s environmental, economic and socially responsible strategies. This way, we can connect Ricoh with sports beyond simply highlighting the benefits of our products. Through the Sustainability Optimisation Programme, all those involved in the 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open can be confident they are playing their part in protecting the environment.”

The Sustainability Optimisation Programme will work hand in hand with Ricoh’s Green Initiatives For Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.) campaign, which was introduced to the Ricoh Women’s British Open in 2009. G.I.F.T. encourages attendees and players at the Open to reduce their environmental impact by making small changes in their everyday lives. For every ten people that pledge to reduce their CO2 footprints, Ricoh will plant one tree in Africa.

As a further illustration of its commitment to sustainability, a working model of the European eco-board – a billboard powered by 100% solar and wind power – will be on display for Ricoh customers at the tournament. Recently unveiled outside of London, the board acts as a visual reminder to the public to act in a sustainable way and think beyond the obvious when it comes to protecting natural resources.

Listed for the seventh consecutive year as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations, Ricoh is constantly striving to reduce the environmental impact of its own business and help its customers and partners to do the same. Ricoh’s long term aim is to reduce its carbon footprint by 87.5% by 2050 compared with 2000.