Wienerberger UK and Ireland partners with Chester Zoo to protect endangered species

Wienerberger, a leading provider of facade, wall, roof and landscaping systems, has announced a partnership with Chester Zoo, a world-renowned conservation charity, aimed at preserving biodiversity and fostering sustainability.

Wienerberger is dedicated to providing outstanding, sustainable building solutions for new build and renovation, long-lasting partnerships and exceptional careers to create a better future for the built environment. This collaboration with Chester Zoo reflects Wienerberger’s commitment to promoting biodiversity, demonstrating that businesses and conservation organisations can work hand in hand to protect our planet's precious wildlife.

In spring 2024, two snow leopards will join Chester Zoo as part of its vital global conservation programme to protect the species from extinction. Wienerberger is supporting the zoo by donating over 600 tonnes of overburden sandstone from its quarry at Kingsbury brickworks to create an authentic habitat for the snow leopards.

Stephanie Palmer, Head of Sustainability, at Wienerberger, said: “We're really excited to announce the first partnership of this type for both Wienerberger and Chester Zoo.

“Our sustainability strategy ‘Let’s Build Beyond’ underscores the importance of forging strong partnerships in our journey towards becoming a net zero emission, nature-positive business. This journey can’t be accomplished alone. The partnership with Chester Zoo is a testament to our dedication to biodiversity and creating a future where nature can flourish. Over the coming years, we aim to promote biodiversity in the UK and Ireland, as reflected in our ‘Let’s Build with Nature in Mind’ strategy, involving local communities as well as Wienerberger’s employees in this partnership.”
 

The partnership between Chester Zoo and Wienerberger will focus on three shared key areas: Products & Materials, Conservation & Reintroduction, and Education. Each area has a list of strategic items to progress in the future, reinforcing that this is a long-term partnership with knowledge exchange at the heart of it. Classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is estimated that there are only 7,500 snow leopards left in the wild. They face the risk of extinction due to various factors, notably climate change affecting their natural habitat in the Himalayas.

Chester Zoo’s mission is to address the global threat to biodiversity presented by climate change, waste, and the overexploitation of natural resources within the UK and internationally to create a future where nature can survive and thrive.

Cathy Lunn, Facilities and Development Director: “Snow leopards are highly threatened, and their population is rapidly declining. By caring for the species here at the zoo, we’ll be joining a vital international conservation breeding programme that’s working to protect these magnificent big cats from extinction.

“Our exciting new habitat will help us to highlight how these incredible animals are under threat from a range of factors, not least climate change as their snow-covered habitat in the Himalayas warms at three times the global average. We want to empower visitors who come to see them to reduce their personal impact on climate change and help us to create a future where these cats, and indeed all nature, can survive and thrive.”

Chester Zoo aims to prevent the extinction of snow leopards, promote the recovery of declining populations, and address the challenges faced by wildlife in the UK and across the world, and Wienerberger is supporting this.

Stephanie Palmer continues: “The recent State of Nature report highlights the trend of decline in the UK’s biodiversity. Building trusted partnerships with organisations such as Chester Zoo will enable us to promote biodiversity within and beyond our operations.”

To find out more about Wienerberger’s action plan to promote biodiversity and improve wellbeing through engagement with nature, read their biodiversity strategy ‘Let’s Build with Nature in Mind’.