Sustainability is one of the core institutional values of the Seattle Aquarium.
Becoming a regenerative aquarium
Our vision is to produce more environmental benefits than harm to help ensure a climate-resilient, sustainable future for all—in other words, to become a regenerative aquarium. To achieve this vision, we’ve crafted a regenerative plan. The plan outlines our vision, specific goals and the strategies we are employing to achieve them. We will achieve our vision by:
- Leading and influencing systemic change
- Tending to a culture of sustainability
- Cultivating facilities conducive to life
- Fostering community connections
- Creating regenerative opportunities
Next-Generation, Sustainable Design At The Ocean Pavilion
Our sustainability commitment is reflected throughout the Ocean Pavilion.
- The building will be LEED Gold certified. We’re also targeting Zero Carbon Certification, a rigorous standard for buildings that are highly energy efficient and have fully neutralized their carbon emissions.
- It will operate 100% fossil fuel-free, recirculating 96% of the salt water in its habitats—saving water and energy—with no water directly returned to Puget Sound.
- Heating and cooling systems will use 91% less energy than traditional systems, and plentiful windows will reduce the need for artificial lighting.
- Learn about the rigorous green building certifications we’re pursuing and find details about the building’s sustainability features in our web story.
WORKING COLLECTIVELY TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS
Since 2014, we’ve offset more carbon than we emit for scope 1 and 2 emissions. In 2020, we took that further by also offsetting more than we emit for select scope 3 emissions. We’ve also collaborated with Evergreen Carbon to identify and invest in carbon offsets that give back to people, communities and the environment.
In September 2022, we became the first nonprofit to sign The Climate Pledge. In doing so, we joined more than 360 organizations and businesses around the world that have publicly committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. Our goals go well beyond the pledge, driven by our vision to become a regenerative aquarium. Collective action across all sectors is essential to fighting climate change, and we hope to be the first of many nonprofit signatories.
ENSURING A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE SALISH SEA
Over the past two decades, the Seattle Aquarium has taken action to create a positive impact on our planet and be a regional leader in sustainable practices. We completed a regenerative plan in 2021 that institutionalizes and builds on the significant efforts made to date. The Seattle Aquarium’s regenerative plan is outlined in the executive summary document below.
OUR REGENERATIVE PLAN DASHBOARD
We are committed to putting this plan into action and achieving our goals by 2030. We chose the year 2030 so that our goals are ambitious and make scientifically meaningful contributions to halting the worst impacts of climate change, pollution and resource extraction to ensure a resilient future for all. This dashboard details the goals in the plan that are stepping stones on the way to becoming a fully regenerative institution, and tracks progress toward those goals.
