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Victoria’s Zoos powered by 100% renewable energy

Victoria’s Zoos powered by 100% renewable energy
August 30, 2021

Funding from the Victorian Government has seen Victoria’s zoos become the first in mainland Australia to be powered by 100% renewable energy.

Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio advised that the milestone was made possible by the State Government having secured a power purchasing agreement for renewable energy.

Healesville Sanctuary is powered by renewable energy produced by the Crowlands Wind Farm, near Ararat and Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo use 100% GreenPower.  This builds on the 675 kilowatts of on-site solar already installed at the three zoos.

Zoos Victoria Chief Executive, Dr Jenny Gray advised “our purpose as a zoo-based conservation organisation is to ensure a future rich in wildlife. It is our duty to combat climate change by taking accountability for our own energy consumption and embracing renewable energy.

“Everyone can take this simple step and join us in reducing carbon in the atmosphere.”

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% 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. 

Minister D’Ambrosio noted “this is a fantastic achievement by Zoos Victoria − an achievement that is helping Victoria tackle climate change and halve its emissions by 2030.

“We want to see more organisations transition to renewables and we’re delivering the investment needed to support that transition.”

Image top: Werribee Open Range Zoo; image above Crowlands Wind Farm courtesy Pacific Hydro

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10th July 2021 - New Board appointments for Zoos Victoria

30th June 2021 - Zoos Victoria trials guardian dogs in protecting endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot

19th March 2021 - Conservation organisations fund Zoos Victoria’s support of critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-possums

30th September 2020 - Zoos Victoria and RSPCA Victoria collaborate to build new koala hospital

30th April 2019 - Zoos Victoria ban all single-use plastics 

8th March 2019 - Zoos Victoria responds to record number of marine wildlife callouts

27th February 2019 - Zoos Victoria to drop Mondelez’s Cadbury products over palm oil fears

10th August 2016 - Zoos Victoria Awarded San Diego Zoo Conservation Medal

9th October 2012 - Zoos Victoria hosts 67th World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference

13th February 2019 - Healesville Sanctuary staff and volunteers mark the tenth anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires

16th July 2020 - Collaboration developed between Geelong Botanic Gardens and Werribee Open Range Zoo

19th January 2019 - New African experience comes to Werribee Open Range Zoo 

25th May 2018 - African wildlife education brought to life at Werribee Open Range Zoo

2nd July 2014 - Werribee Open Range Zoo opens Bandicoot Hideout

28th April 2014 - Ranger Kids opens at Werribee Open Range Zoo

22nd October 2013 - Werribee Open Range Zoo unveils new arrivals precinct

20th June 2011 - New veterinary hospital opens at Werribee Open Range Zoo


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