Sustainability

CO₂ Offsetting

We offset our own operational emissions—and continue to work toward reducing them. To this end, we have signed a voluntary target agreement with the Energy Agency for Industry. In this agreement, we commit to further reducing our CO₂ emissions.

We have been calculating our CO₂ emissions annually since 2010 using the “Greenhouse Gas Protocol.” Emissions fluctuate from year to year and depend on various factors. Some of these factors are only partially controllable. For example, visitor traffic, as well as periodic maintenance work (e.g., heating system renovations) or unforeseeable malfunctions (e.g., refrigerant leaks in the heat pump), influence emissions—in some cases significantly.

We are not yet able to completely avoid emissions, even with the extensive measures we are implementing. For this reason, we offset these unavoidable excess emissions through carefully selected projects. We set high standards for these projects, which must meet our requirements not only in terms of CO₂ reduction but also in all other aspects of sustainability.

Electricity

We purchase 100 percent renewable electricity from the “naturemade star” from ewz. “ewz.pronatur” stands for electricity derived 100 percent from renewable energy sources such as water, sun, biomass, and wind. ewz states: “The naturemade star fund supports the restoration of waterways and the enhancement of rare habitats for plants and animals.”

Heat

We generate approximately 98 percent of our heating needs sustainably. About 75 percent of our heat comes from (FSC-)certified wood chips, and about 23 percent from a heat pump in the Masoala Rainforest. By using approximately 7,000 cubic meters of wood chips, we can save up to 600,000 liters of heating oil per year; the heat pump saves up to 180,000 liters of heating oil.

Through improvements to the energy plant and the resulting reduction in the proportion of oil used, we have reduced annual CO₂ emissions by 700 metric tons since 2010.

Heat Pump

In 2010, we installed 40 geothermal probes in the Masoala Rainforest, each at a depth of 250 meters. Since then, they have been generating most of the heat required for the Masoala Rainforest via a heat pump. We use the excess cooling from the heat pump—via heat recovery—for the restaurant and for ventilation in the Masoala Rainforest.

By using heat recovery systems, upgrading the energy center, and ensuring optimal thermal insulation in both renovation and new construction projects, we are further reducing heating output and, above all, the proportion of oil used. Today, this accounts for only 1 to 2% of our total heating demand—compared to around 30% in the past.

Water

We limit our water consumption to what is absolutely necessary, while of course taking the animals’ needs into account. We treat our water bodies—some of which are quite large—using, among other things, pond filtration systems (plant-based sand filters, biological treatment plants, pressure sand filters, and drum filter systems) on-site, which reduces the amount of fresh water we need to add. We use rainwater in various areas to replenish the ponds and for irrigation.

For example, we supply the Masoala Rainforest with treated rainwater. In areas where rainwater cannot be used for irrigation, osmosis water is sometimes necessary. The production of this water results in wastewater (graywater). We use this wastewater in the Masoala Rainforest, for example, to flush toilets.

Waste

At our facility, we sort waste into the following categories: metal, wood, paper, cardboard, glass, construction debris, excavated material, yard waste, batteries, paints/varnishes, and PET. This allows us to properly route recyclable materials to recycling or disposal. Thanks to centralization, larger dumpsters, and an efficient waste management plan, we can also reduce the number of waste disposal trips.

We use green waste, such as manure and food scraps, for biogas production. We process plant parts (trunks and branches) and wood chips from our own forest to feed the animals. After use, we compost them and reuse them (e.g., as compost, bark mulch, or soil).

We use some of the old wood to provide behavioral enrichment for the animals. It is then chopped up, used as wood chips in the animal enclosures, and finally used as green waste for biogas production.

Traffic

We recommend that our guests use public transportation to get here and actively promote this option. Through partnerships with SBB and ZVV, we offer incentives to encourage this.

We are also pursuing a project to build a cable car from Stettbach to the Zürichberg. It will make traveling by public transit more attractive and further promote its use.

The zoo’s own vehicle fleet is largely electric and powered by green electricity. When purchasing new vehicles, we give preference to electric vehicles whenever possible, even if they are more expensive to buy than vehicles with internal combustion engines.

We do not consider our guests' travel to the zoo to be a personal contribution on their part.

Funding for Nature Conservation

The profits from the zoo restaurants and zoo shops go directly to the Zoo Zurich, thereby supporting our mission. Two percent of all revenue from the zoo restaurants and zoo shops is donated to our nature conservation projects.

Further Development

We are committed to continuously improving our sustainability efforts. Over the next few years, we will be implementing the following measures, among others:

• Further optimization of energy and water consumption;

• Further reduction of waste volume;

• Inspect older buildings for thermal insulation and either retrofit or replace them;

• Further optimization of transportation logistics;

• Ongoing review and adjustment of sourcing channels and their sustainability for restaurant and shop products.