The Victorian Government has funded an effort for Victoria’s zoos to become the first in mainland Australia to run on 100 per cent renewable energy.
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced the milestone today – made possible thanks to support from the Victorian Government to secure a power purchasing agreement for renewable energy.
Healesville Sanctuary is powered by renewable energy produced by the Crowlands Wind Farm, near Ararat. Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo use 100 per cent GreenPower. This builds on the 675KW of on-site solar already installed at the three zoos.
It’s not the first climate change milestone for Zoos Victoria, which was also the first independently certified carbon neutral zoo in the world in 2013.
Zoos Victoria, which has more than 800 employees working with over 5000 animals, has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions from 14,000 tonnes to just 4,000 tonnes.
Other sustainability initiatives include the diversion of 89 per cent waste from landfill in 2020-21 and recycling 100 mega-litres of water annually through an on-site water recycling plant.
Zoos Victoria partners with organisations to protect, revegetate and restore critical habitats in key locations across Victoria. Through the Climate Active carbon neutral program, Zoos Victoria invests carbon offsets that protect biodiversity hotspots across the world.
