Zoo now carbon neutral
Staff at Marwell Wildlife have been working on reaching the target since 2008
Last updated 9th Aug 2023
The attraction, near Winchester, has credited the achievement, in part, to its energy centre which turns zoo poo into a valuable energy source to heat its buildings.
Marwell first calculated its carbon footprint in 2008, when it was measured at 1,706 tonnes - the majority of that resulting from electricity use.
Solar panels were added to buildings and rainwater harvested from the roofs to ensure natural resources don’t go to waste.
The trees in the surrounding woods, fields and the zoo itself, as well as grassland, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, a process known as sequestering.
Altogether the Marwell estate sequesters 547 tonnes of CO2 per year, 50 tonnes more than the zoo’s 497 tonne carbon footprint for 2022.
The zoo is now training its sights on a goal of Net Zero, which is achieved by measuring the emissions of goods and materials in the supply chain as well as those of the organisation itself.
Dr Duncan East, Head of Sustainability said “At the same time as we ramp up our efforts to surpass net zero, we cannot take our eyes off other environmental and social impacts occurring around the world.
“Marwell is developing a total positive impact plan to ensure we are supporting the regeneration of both the ecosystems and social systems impacted by our activities.
“I would encourage all individuals and organisations to join us on our journey to support nature’s recovery.”