Chester Zoo has announced a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Electric as part of its drive to reach net zero. The partnership, which was announced at a press event by Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan brand ambassador George Clarke, will see the heat pump manufacturer’s experts work with the zoo’s facilities and design teams to keep animals warm – like the critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinos. They will also provide heating, cooling and ventilation equipment in other buildings across the 128-acre site while reducing the zoo’s carbon emissions.
As a conservation and education charity that’s committed to preventing extinction and dedicated to raising awareness of conservation and environmental challenges, the zoo is aiming to be net zero in its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. As part of this, it is actively working to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Each of its buildings have very different requirements, based on their use, including the animals and species cared for in them.
“Mitsubishi Electric is helping us understand the decarbonisation potential on buildings across on our site to help us meet our net zero targets,” explains Jennifer Kelly, head of sustainability at Chester Zoo. “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 the zoo’s new conference and events venue. The second saw one of its rhino habitats, home to the critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinos, heated by six Ecodan air source heat pumps.
George Clarke adds: “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!”
To find out more about the important conservation work undertaken at the zoo by visiting their website: https://www.chesterzoo.org/
Further information on the sustainable solutions available from Mitsubishi Electric can be found by visiting: https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/
