SBIA PARTNER PROFILE SSE AIRTRICITY
SSE Airtricity, proud sustainability partner to Dublin Zoo A sustainability partnership with Dublin Zoo affords SSE Airtricity a unique opportunity to deliver on their commitment to a greener future while supporting the conservation and sustainability efforts of the zoo
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SE Airtricity is the proud Sustainability Partner to Dublin Zoo since 2017, delivering on SSE Airtricity’s ‘This is Generation Green’ campaign and commitment to support customers and communities in working towards a greener future. SSE Airtricity is proud to play a role in supporting the Zoo’s efforts on their sustainability journey and amplifying those efforts through significant education of visitors to the zoo. The sustainability partnership with Dublin Zoo is delivered by way of a number of initiatives, that support their sustainability agenda and SSE Airtricity’s objectives, while also educating the wider community on sustainable efforts and a cleaner, greener future. These initiatives include: sustainability messaging around recycling, water and energy consumption at the Zoo at water refill stations, waste points and in toilets; Protect our Planet weekends; the Eco Explorer Trail and interactive Eco Explorer’s Club, an online educational programme with tips and information on deforestation, recycling, water, and conservation. PANDEMIC PIVOT “SSE Airtricity worked with Dublin Zoo on how best we could pivot our sustainability partnership to
brought to life through animated videos, biodiversity-themed Yoga and conservation talks by zoo keepers. Lessons are delivered across the areas of biodiversity, sustainability, pollution and energy and what started as a 10-week programme has continued well beyond with fresh content and new lessons introduced and even more exciting plans in development. Growing from a real and tangible community need, the Eco Explorers Club has firmly established itself as an important sustainability programme in supporting the next generations. “To date, we’ve seen more than 30,000 visits to the website and a reach of over 1.6m across social channels,” notes Neenan. Klair Neenan, Managing Director SSE Airtricity
remain beneficial to both the zoo and wider community, amidst lockdown and restrictions,” says Klair Neenan, Managing Director, SSE Airtricity. “Conscious of the challenge faced by the community in home schooling, we used our existing partnership and our experience in environmental sustainability to create an online educational programme for primary school children, transforming the Eco Explorer Trail into a multiplatform online sustainability education programme, the Eco Explorers Club.” This multi-platform series features a range of sustainability topics and was
#SAVEDUBLINZOO Whilst closed to the public due to the pandemic restrictions, Dublin Zoo launched a fundraising campaign to raise vital funds to help cover the cost of animal care, which alone totals €500,000 each month, as emergency cash reserves begin to run out. Without financial support, Dublin Zoo was concerned it may have to make the difficult decision to close its gates to the public. SSE Airtricity was proud to make the first donation to the campaign of €20,000 to go some way towards helping Dublin Zoo continue their conservation and sustainability work.
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