In August 2021 the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report from Working Group 1 titled “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis”. This is the first section of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which is to be completed in 2022. Labelled “a code red for humanity”, the Report notes unprecedented changes in climate in every part of the globe and unequivocally places the cause of these changes on human activities. The Report states that, unless there are urgent, large-scale, and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon, the global temperature will rise over 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) or even 2°C. Exceeding temperatures by 2°C will have dramatic and deadly consequences for all life on Earth.

Zoos and aquariums around the world are visited by more than 700 million people annually. we are perfectly positioned to influence our visitors to make positive behaviour changes in their daily lives. However, the credibility of our messages and even the legitimacy of our existence is at stake if we do not reduce our own emissions. Now, more than ever, we need to lead by example and provide a showcase to individuals and other organisations of what needs to be done to cut emissions.

The WAZA Carbon Guide has been developed to assist WAZA members in measuring and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and outlines various steps which zoos and aquariums can take across their operations.