The North of England Zoological Society – Annual Report and Financial Statements 2021
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Every year at Chester Zoo, we engage, inform and collaborate with a broad range of audiences. Accurately mapping our stakeholders is a vital first step in ensuring that we fully understand their interests, needs and influence. This in turn allows us to build effective relationships, in pursuit of our mission of preventing extinction. Below are some examples of how we interacted with key stakeholder groups in 2021.
Parliamentarians
Peer organisations
Chester Zoo is committed to shaping the political agenda when it comes to policies and debates that affect wildlife here in the UK and overseas.
Chester Zoo aims to be a leader within both the zoo and conservation sectors and, as the most visited attraction in England outside of London, play a vital role within the visitor economy.
We measure this by: • •
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We track this via numerous means, including:
Measuring progress against our Conservation Masterplan policy target Monitoring the political environment and our prominence within parliament and other political settings Mapping our stakeholders and tracking levels of engagement.
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Our focus issues for 2021 included: • • • • •
Our engagement with this stakeholder group is shaped by issues such as:
Animal welfare Deforestation-free commodities Conservation education Biodiversity and climate change The conservation and wider societal and economic impact of zoos.
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Regulation, legislation and government policy Financial stability and sustainability Public attitudes towards conservation, the environment, and the role of zoos.
Chester Zoo is by nature a collaborative organisation, none more so than with our peers. In 2021 this included:
Our wide-ranging engagement in this area includes activities such as: •
Considering what constitutes our unique Chester Zoo contribution when interacting with peer organisations Measuring the breadth and volume of relationships and partnerships we engage in Assessing the reputation and profile of the UK zoo sector.
Hosting stakeholders in the zoo and building direct relationships with politicians and their advisors Responding to government consultations and calls for evidence Attending and speaking at conferences and events.
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chesterzoo.org
Joint campaigning and lobbying Working with membership bodies (such as BIAZA and ALVA) and as part of charity coalitions Peer-to-peer relationships, spanning many different specialisms.
