We recently announced a strategic partnership with heat pump manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric, to decarbonise heating across the zoo as part of our drive to reach net zero.
TV presenter and architect George Clarke announced the partnership, and saw Mitsubishi Electric’s experts work with our facilities and design teams, here at the zoo, to keep animals, like our critically endangered eastern black rhinos, warm. This partnership will help the zoo provide heating, cooling and ventilation equipment in buildings all across the 128-acre site while reducing carbon emissions.
As a world-leading conservation and education charity, we’re committed to preventing extinction and dedicated to raising awareness of conservation and environmental challenges. Our main aim is to be net zero by 2030. As part of this, we’re actively working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Each of our buildings have very different requirements, including the species cared for in them.
Right now we’re facing a global biodiversity and climate crisis. The time for action is now. That’s why it’s vitally important that we lift our focus on sustainability to new heights. We know that we can’t be part of the problem that we’re trying to solve, and that’s where partnerships on sustainability are so important; collaborating to showcase best practice and inspiring others to act.
Jennifer Kelly, our Head of Sustainability
Jennifer continues,
“Mitsubishi Electric is helping us understand the decarbonisation potential on buildings across on our site to help us meet our net zero targets. We’re proud to be leading the way on sustainability and inspiring others to do the same. The future of our planet depends on it.”
The partnership was developed following two successful projects utilising Mitsubishi Electric equipment. The first involved air source heat pumps, air conditioning and ventilation installed in our new conference and events venue, The Square.
The second saw one of its rhino habitats, home to the critically endangered eastern black rhinos, heated by six Ecodan air source heat pumps, which are manufactured in Scotland.
We need to keep our indoor rhino habitat temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees, but their home has big open doors, allowing the animals free movement to their outdoor habitat, which can lead to significant heat loss. The air source heat pump solution deployed shows the potential for heat pumps to be successful in challenging and unique environments.
George Clarke, TV presenter, architect and Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan brand ambassador, says, “I’ve been talking for years about the power and versatility of heat pumps for different living environments. The air source heat pumps deployed at Chester Zoo demonstrate what’s possible and show that if heat pumps can work in our rhino habitats, they can work in residential and wider settings too!”
Chris Newman, Net Zero Design Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, added, “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Chester Zoo as a key sustainability Partner, and we see so many synergies with their ethos, especially on the sustainability and educational fronts.
“We’re working with the zoo’s facilities teams to reduce carbon emissions and deliver energy efficient comfort across a diverse range of buildings with internal climates from African savannahs to South American rainforests, which shows beyond doubt that there is a renewable solution that can help all of us get to net zero.”
We work tirelessly here at Chester Zoo to achieve our conservation mission of ensuring the survival of species on the very brink of extinction, both in the UK and around the world. We work with more than 3,000 species globally, including hundreds of international animal conservation breeding and habitat programmes.
Further information on the sustainable solutions available from Mitsubishi Electric.