Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Action
• Animal Welfare
• Sustainability
• Community Engagement
• Conservation

Environmental Achievements

• Achieved Toitū carbonzero certification for the seventh year running, with a 29% reduction in carbon emissions against a 2017/18 baseline. Main gains were through switching to Ecotricity, reducing waste to landfill, and decreasing freight emissions.
• Installed two EV charging stations.
• Phased in electric vehicles for the Zoo fleet.

Social Achievements

• Hosted 15th annual Neighbours’ Night BBQ with nearly 2,000 attendees.
• Offered free Zoo entry from May 16th to June 30th due to COVID-19, welcoming 50,891 visitors.
• Participated in The Warehouse Zoofari programme, hosting 346 students.
• Hosted Winter Wednesdays with half-price entry, welcoming 2,781 visitors.

Governance Achievements

• Developed a new Conservation Strategy.
• Released a Climate Change Position Statement.
• Chief Executive elected to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Council and appointed Chair of the Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a two-month closure, significantly impacting visitor revenue.
• Fundraising challenges as a charitable trust.
• Travel restrictions impacting conservation fieldwork.

Mitigation Strategies

• Applied for and received Government Wage Subsidy scheme.
• Received support from Wellington City Council.
• Developed online engagement strategies to maintain community connection.
• Postponed some trips due to COVID-19 and planned for their completion in the next year.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Sourcing high-quality, often locally produced items for animal nutrition.
• Using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Toitū carbonzero

Certifications: Toitū carbonzero

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Life On Land
• Life Below Water
• Climate Action
• Quality Education
• Responsible Consumption and Production
• Sustainable Cities and Communities

The Zoo's strategy is aligned with these SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award (prior year)
• Resene New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architecture awards (Chimpanzee habitat upgrade)
• Museums Shops Association of Australia and New Zealand (MSAANZ) Retail Recognition Award (Re-Wrap Animal Finger Puppets)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Action
• Animal Welfare
• Community Engagement
• Sustainability
• Cultural Competency (Te Ao Māori integration)

Environmental Achievements

• Achieved Toitū carbonzero certification for the eighth consecutive year, reducing carbon emissions by just over 65 tonnes compared to 2018/19 (primarily due to reduced air travel).
• Expanded electric vehicle fleet from two to four vehicles.

Social Achievements

• Launched Safe Cat Safe Wildlife campaign to educate cat owners on protecting wildlife.
• Developed and launched a cultural competency project, Kanohi Kitea, to integrate te ao Māori.
• Extended charity partnerships to include Wellington City Mission and ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum.
• Developed three new engaging visitor experiences: Minibeasts, Sun Bear Behind the Scenes, and Zoo Keeper for a Day.
• Implemented the Keeper Development Programme to create career paths for zookeepers.

Governance Achievements

• Launched Conservation Strategy Me tiaki, kia ora! in September.
• Implemented a new Health and Safety incident reporting system (IHI).

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 impacts on visitor numbers and revenue.
• Reduced ability to accept injured native wildlife due to COVID-19.
• Challenges in combating predators in animal habitats while ensuring animal safety.

Mitigation Strategies

• Received central government funding through the Significant Tourism Asset Protection Programme and the Wildlife Institution Relief Fund.
• Conducted a strategic review of native wildlife admissions to The Nest Te Kōhanga.
• Collaborated with Predator Free Wellington to address predator control challenges.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Focus on high-quality, locally produced items for the Nutrition Centre.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Toitū carbonzero

Certifications: Toitū carbonzero

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
• SDG 15 (Life On Land)
• SDG 4 (Quality Education)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The Zoo's initiatives contribute to these goals through conservation efforts, sustainability practices, community engagement, and educational programs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Increased focus on fair trade and sustainable products in retail.

Awards & Recognition

• Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Animal welfare
• Local and global conservation
• Conservation medicine
• Visitor experience
• Community engagement
• Staff well-being
• Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Toitū CarbonZero certification renewed for the 11th year.
• Total emissions reduced from the previous reporting year due to a ban on international travel (expecting increase in 2022/23 due to resumed international travel).
• 100% biozyme cleaning solutions used.
• Recycling batteries and reusing cardboard for animal enrichment.
• Developed a Sustainable Palm Oil Position Statement.
• Started auditing single-use plastics and palm oil.
• Signed a new waste recovery contract with Waste Management New Zealand focusing on improving sustainable outcomes.

Social Achievements

• Highest ever visitation of 261,943.
• Successful partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, donating $50,000 to WildCats Conservation Alliance for tiger conservation.
• Fully sold-out Welcome Weekend raised $46,608.73 for the Wellington Zoo Partners in Conservation Fund.
• Neighbours’ Night hosted 1,357 neighbours.
• Held the first Wellington Zoo Pride Weekend.
• $13,967 awarded to Local Conservation Grants recipients.
• Welcomed 1,446 visitors through community partnerships.
• 336 native animals treated in The Nest Te Kōhanga, 54% released back into the wild.

Governance Achievements

• Master planning commenced for the next 20 years.
• Renewed ZAA accreditation until February 2025.
• Achieved and maintained Rainbow Tick certification.
• Developed a Partnerships Framework.
• Completed a review of the Business Continuity Plan.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Supply chain challenges during construction of the Snow Leopard habitat.
• Increased total emissions expected for 2022/23 due to resumed international travel.
• Reducing food waste from animals.
• Extreme weather events in February 2023.
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in Bali requiring additional biosecurity measures.

Mitigation Strategies

• Negotiated a fixed-price contract for the Snow Leopard habitat.
• Implementing measures to mitigate the risk of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
• Reviewing visitor waste bins to improve recycling rates.
• Developing solutions to reduce food waste from animals.
• Implementing a weed management plan for the Manchester Street restoration site.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Use of FSC certified timber
• Recycled materials in Snow Leopard habitat construction
• Sustainable Palm Oil Position Statement
• Auditing single-use plastics and palm oil

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather events

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Toitū net carbonzero

Certifications: Toitū net carbonzero, Rainbow Tick

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 12 Responsible Consumption & Production
• SDG 13 Climate Action
• SDG 14 Life Below Water
• SDG 4 Quality Education
• SDG 15 Life on Land
• SDG 11 Sustainable Cities & Communities

The Zoo's initiatives contribute to these goals through conservation efforts, sustainability practices, community engagement, and education programs.

Awards & Recognition

• Rainbow Tick certification
• Toitū net carbonzero certification

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Sustainability
• Community Engagement
• Diversity & Inclusion

Environmental Achievements

• Toitū net carbonzero certification awarded for the 12th year
• Digital sustainability project reduced estimated emissions from Zoo website by 26.5%
• Reduced food waste from animal habitats with fish waste from the Kororā diet reduced by over 80%

Social Achievements

• Awarded two Rainbow Excellence Awards
• Welcomed the most visitors ever in a year, 279,656
• Hosted the International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) conference
• Hosted world-renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall DBE
• Hosted our immediate Zoo neighbours for Neighbours’ Night with 1,746 Newtown locals attending
• Community Partnerships Programme welcomed 1,552 visitors
• Zoo Pride event had 1,349 visitors

Governance Achievements

• Master Planning progressed with future planning for the next 20 years at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
• Passed annual Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) audit
• Achieved and maintained Rainbow Tick certification

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Challenging economic environment
• Supply chain disruptions (implied)
• Climate change impacts (implied)

Mitigation Strategies

• Data-driven decision making
• Strategic partnerships
• Grant funding
• Cost-saving initiatives (implied)
• Transitioning to electric vehicles

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Preference for products/suppliers with less single-use plastics
• Investigation of soft plastics recycling schemes
• Use of FSC certified paper/wood products

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Toitū net carbonzero

Certifications: Toitū net carbonzero, Rainbow Tick

Third-party Assurance: Toitū Envirocare

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 4 (Quality Education)
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
• SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The report details initiatives aligned with these SDGs, including education programs, sustainable transport promotion, waste reduction, climate action messaging, marine conservation partnerships, and native biodiversity initiatives.

Awards & Recognition

• Two Rainbow Excellence Awards
• ZAA Employee of the Year
• ZAA Meritorious Award