As a conservation organisation, we strive to measure and improve the environmental sustainability of our operations.
For more than a decade, Perth Zoo has worked to measure and reduce our footprint, including our use of energy, waste and water.
Here are some of our achievements from previous projects:
Perth Zoo’s next steps for sustainability
Sustainability is a journey of constant improvement. To help guide us, we have developed a strategy outlining where we will focus our efforts from now, until June 2029.
We will continue to measure and report our progress in our annual report. We will also assess our performance towards the end of the strategy as we prepare to set a new focus for 2030 and beyond.
Over the next four years, we will focus our efforts on improvement across five focus areas: climate, education, procurement, waste and water. Read more of what each focus area includes below or download a summary.
Climate
We will reduce our carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.
Actions: Increase renewable energy. Decrease natural gas by 25%*. Develop climate adaptation plan.
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This area focusses on measuring and reducing our energy consumption (such as electricity and natural gas) and our carbon emissions.
It also includes adapting to a changing climate to ensure we can continue to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our animals, workforce and visitors in the future.
* Targets are set with 2023/24 financial year as a baseline.
Education
We will encourage sustainable action within and beyond Perth Zoo.
Actions: Increase sustainability knowledge sharing with all Zoo stakeholders.
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Focusses on delivering staff sustainability training and advice, as well as increasing opportunities for our visitors and organisations we work with to learn from our sustainability journey.
Procurement
We will aim to balance the environmental, social and economic impacts of procurement across all aspects of our business.
Actions: Develop guidelines for ethical procurement.
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This area focusses on setting guidelines to help us source goods and services, capital works and major development while limiting negative impacts to the environment, people and the economy.
Waste
We will encourage waste avoidance and improve resource recovery.
Actions: Expand resource recovery streams and increase diversion of waste from landfill by 10%*.
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Focusses on managing all forms of waste we create on site, from plastic through to animal manure.
Where we cannot avoid or reduce waste, we will aim to recover valuable resources, with landfill being a last resort.
* Targets are set with 2023/24 financial year as a baseline.
Water
We will use water with care on our site.
Actions: Reduce water use by 5000 kL* per annum. Improve water capture, efficiency and quality.
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This area focusses on taking care of our groundwater supply and achieving efficiency in our potable water and groundwater use.
It also includes considering how we can improve the quality of water when it leaves the Zoo site.
* Targets are set with 2023/24 financial year as a baseline.
Sustainability and you
Many small steps can make big changes.
At Perth Zoo
Here are a few simple steps to help reduce environmental impact when visiting Perth Zoo!
- Pack your reusable bottle and clean reusable cup. We have several free water refill stations and our café will fill your keep-cup.
- We proudly participate in Containers for Change; just look for the green bins across the Zoo.
- Download our digital map to help reduce paper use.
- Take a look at our getting here page to see whether a bike or public transport might be the best option for you.
Beyond Perth Zoo
From planting a waterwise verge garden, to reducing waste at home, there are lots of resources available with ideas.
Help protect local biodiversity and support wetlands and rivers.
Avoid waste and support resource recovery.
Reduce energy use.