Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 


Zoo achieves highest environmental accreditation

Auckland City Council Media release

19 December 2007

Zoo achieves highest environmental accreditation

Auckland Zoo has been awarded the highest international accreditation standard in environmental management - the International Standards Organisation's ISO 14001.

The accreditation comes two years ahead of the zoo's 2009 target to achieve the standard, and follows hot on the heels of achieving another 2009 environmental goal by 2007 - that of recycling 85 per cent of all zoo waste.

The ISO 14001 - the global standard of measuring and monitoring environmental performance, focuses on improving environmental protection by using a single environmental management system across all functions of an organisation, and on gaining buy-in from all staff and contractors. Legal compliance with environmental legislation, pollution prevention, and continual improvement, are key commitments in gaining the standard.

"For the past six years the zoo has focused intensively on reducing its environmental footprint, and has dramatically reduced its energy and water consumption, and the amount of waste it sends to landfill. In addition, design and operational standards for all new buildings have been introduced to ensure we utilise natural resources efficiently, and only use materials from sustainable resources," says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken.

"In tandem with this, we now have in place internationally recognised systems for assessing and managing our environmental impact.

This is invaluable as it's going to enable us to track further improvements, and in particular set clear and challenging carbon emission targets for Auckland Zoo - an action that we believe can be an example for others to follow."

The newly appointed director says reducing our environmental footprint is the most important conservation action we can all take for the planet.

"Right now, wildlife species throughout the world are under serious threat because of the way we are all using natural resources unsustainably, polluting the environment, and destroying natural habitat.

"If we all work to reduce our impact on the environment, we also work to help wildlife and their habitats to survive, both locally and globally," says Mr Wilcken.

Achieving the ISO 14001 (an outcome of the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit) is in line with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Strategy, and Auckland Zoo's own strategic plan. Auckland Zoo's Environmental Policy and information about its Green Team can be found at http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/

ENDS

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 

Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
Also:

Court of Appeal: Govt Should Pay Family Caregivers

The victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government says Green MP Catherine DelahuntyMore >>

ALSO:

Budget 2012: Education – Larger Classes For More Money
I’m here today to talk about our education plan. Education is a subject that’s dear to my heart and head - and indeed yours, as future employers and business associates of the generation of young New Zealanders who are coming through our education system ... More >>

ALSO:


Industrial Relations: New Laws Proposed
Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced a package of measures that will extend workers’ rights to request flexible working hours and ensure a fair and flexible collective bargaining environment. More >>

ALSO:

Christchurch: A State of Discontent
Jane Bowron, the Christchurch journalist who came to national prominence through her first-hand accounts of living through the earthquake and its aftermath, says dissatisfaction with the mayor and council is growing, and protests are likely to ... More >>

ALSO:

LATEST HEADLINES

 
 
 
 
Regional
Search Scoop  
 
 
powered by newsagent
NZ independent news