London Zoo Embarks on Net Zero Journey as ZSL Celebrates 200 Years of Conservation

As ZSL celebrates 200 astonishing years in Conservation, its London Zoo in Regent’s Park has embarked on an exciting journey to Net Zero.

As part of an exciting new journey towards Net Zero, London Zoo has installed a new solar PV system on the roof of its Community & Learning Hub, marking the conservation charity’s first major investment in on-site renewable energy generation. The solar panels are expected to generate enough clean electricity to power the building throughout the year, reducing reliance on the grid while supporting the Zoo’s wider sustainability and decarbonisation goals.

Crucially, though, this marks just the beginning of the Zoo’s route to Net Zero. Run by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London), London Zoo already has further solar PV and battery storage systems underway across the estate as part of an ambitious programme to increase solar generation 16-fold by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2035.

There is growing awareness of the connection between nature conservation, sustainability and renewable energy. London Zoo was the world’s first scientific zoo when it opened in 1828 during an early Victorian era of exploration and discovery. Today, as it celebrates its 200th anniversary, the Zoo’s anniversary exhibition takes visitors on a journey through two centuries of pioneering conservation, scientific research and education.

The ZSL team believe zoos with their millions of visitors are playing an increasingly important role in how society learns about, and cares for the natural world – and decarbonisation is now at the heart of that message. By committing to Net Zero through its own clean energy generation, London Zoo hopes not only to reduce carbon emissions but also to deliver educational benefits and create a ripple effect as others see what can be achieved.

“We want to be a leader in this sector and show how clean energy can be part of the conversation in conservation,” says Louise Talbot, Energy & Sustainability Manager, who believes zoos can offer a platform that engages visitors and promotes planetary health and sustainable living and all their links to human wellbeing.

“We can demonstrate how sustainable solutions like solar and battery storage can be designed and integrated into a mix of historic and new buildings like ours, and share the route we’ve mapped out to take us to Net Zero by 2035 and why it matters,” says Louise. “We’ve just agreed our first dedicated budget for sustainability, which for this project has been matched by Westminster Council’s Climate Fund.

Councillor Tim Mitchell, Cabinet Member for City Management, said Westminster City Council was proud to have provided match funding to help one of London’s most beloved institutions reduce its costs and generate clean, renewable energy.

“The installation of solar panels at London Zoo is a great example of how we can work together to deliver environmental solutions that benefit the whole city,” he says.

“The council is committed to making Westminster greener and healthier through practical measures that deliver real results, support innovation and strengthen the institutions that make our city such a special place to live and visit.”

The solar PV systems visitors now see when they visit is viewed, says Louise, as a flagship project for London Zoo. The SolarSense team who designed and installed them were chosen for both their approach to environmental issues and their 30 years’ experience in delivering award-winning renewable energy systems. SolarSense is now in the process of fitting two more solar arrays in this initial phase at the Regent’s Park site, the next on top of Tiny Giants next to the lion enclosure (with the animals moved safely to a section away from scaffolding), and the third on the Pavilion gift shop.

“SolarSense were a great fit for us, and at each stage they’ve collaborated with the animal teams to ensure no disturbance to visitors or to the animals’ feeding and sleeping routines,” says Louise.

Planetary health was the driving force behind SolarSense when Stephen Barrett, the company’s founder, launched the company more than 30 years ago, bringing solar to national commercial companies and third sector conservation initiatives, working with organisations ranging from The RSPB to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The company has also championed developments in renewable energy technology and is partnering with Rainforest Concern to protect rare rainforest habitat in the Tropical Andes, home to more mammals, birds and amphibians than anywhere else on Earth.

“Stephen has built a team who know the urgency of mitigating climate change, and who have bought into what clean energy can do, and how the best working partnerships with organisations like London Zoo can be so powerful,” says Russell Mees, SolarSense’s Managing Director. “The whole team feel privileged to be working with ZSL and London Zoo at such an exciting time in their history, and at the very beginning of their journey to Net Zero.”

“We are so pleased with the message solar sends out to our visitors,” adds Louise. “The solar panels blend in beautifully, but so many visitors have noticed and commented on the array. And this initial roll out of solar PV is inspiring other initiatives, like converting to biomass for our gas supply at Whipsnade, which is currently undergoing a feasibility study. When you see one initiative working so well – we can see on our solar App how much electricity the panels are generating, and how much C02 they’re saving – it inspires you to think even bigger.”