The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), a coalition of aquariums and zoos for aquatic conservation, and its members are entering a joint procurement for a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA).
This long-term investment in renewable energy exemplifies leadership in sustainability, delivering meaningful benefits to communities.
Kim McIntyre, executive director of the ACP, says: “At a moment when national climate action is stalling, science itself is being questioned, and the threats of climate change only grow more severe, ACP members and partners remain unwavering in our commitment.
“By investing in real, scalable solutions, we’re showing that science-driven institutions can lead where others are retreating—demonstrating what it looks like to put communities and our shared future first.”
See also: Building a sustainable future: the work of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership
Collaborative effort
A VPPA is an approximately 15-year contract that encourages the production of new renewable electricity and allows organisations to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in bulk from major off-site wind and solar facilities.
Nine buyers will participate in this agreement, representing almost 150,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy load. Together, they will reduce carbon emissions, speed up the switch to clean energy, and contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious climate targets.
The first organisation to join the initiative was SSA Group, a leading hospitality partner to zoos, aquariums, and museums across the US, and the ACP’s first corporate member.
With extensive experience in hospitality and visitor services, SSA Group demonstrates how mission-driven partners can broaden the reach and impact of clean energy adoption, while also helping to set a precedent for sustainability leadership in the cultural attractions industry.
By combining their efforts, the nine participating organisations are opening up opportunities for significant advances in sustainability. VPPAs are creating a model for scaling climate solutions across diverse industries, delivering measurable Scope 2 emissions reductions, and offering vital financial support for renewable energy projects.
The project will include management, education, and project assessments led by Verdis Group and ERM Coho, demonstrating the strong technical expertise and collaborative strategy that underpins this initiative.
Once procured, the project will support members in meeting the ACP climate commitment, which has been in place since 2022. 28 ACP member institutions are presently on course to achieve net-zero, with targets ranging from 2025 to 2050.
The VPPA signifies an impactful step in this journey, highlighting how collective action can power scalable impact and accelerate the clean energy transition.
This summer, the ACP announced that it had received a two-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program to develop and implement a comprehensive digital and in-person public engagement campaign. This aims to inspire and engage guests at aquariums and zoos in efforts to reduce marine debris and plastic pollution.
