Chester Zoo has said plans for an underground pipeline on its site are "unacceptable" and would "represent a significant level of environmental impact".
The zoo has released a statement on the proposed Peak Cluster project, which involves building an underground pipeline across the north-west of England to transport carbon emissions to the coastline.
It said the pipeline as currently proposed would jeopardise its commitment to manage at least 30 percent of its estate for UK biodiversity by 2030, as well as its regional conservation and habitat recovery programme.
It would also threaten the zoo's environmentally sensitive habitats, including irreplaceable wetland habitats that support wildlife, store carbon, and cannot be recreated once lost.
The proposed Peak Cluster pipeline would threaten Chester Zoo's environmentally sensitive habitats Chester Zoo
Earlier this year, Chester Zoo published an open letter outlining its concerns about the pipeline project.
In its new statement, the zoo said it has raised its concerns with representatives of the project in a bid to get the route amended.
"To date, we have not seen such action taken," Chester Zoo said.
Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, told the BBC the current route "would rip through our fields and jeopardise environmentally sensitive habitats".
The zoo said: "As a leading conservation charity in the UK, we have a responsibility to speak up.
"Whilst we recognise the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports the UK's transition to net zero, decarbonising industry should not come at the expense of nature.
"We therefore believe the regional environmental impacts of the Peak Cluster pipeline, as proposed, are unacceptable."
Zoo says plan is "unacceptable"
Peak Cluster chief executive David Parkin told the BBC: "We remain committed to working with Chester Zoo to address their concerns as far as possible."
He added: "Since May, we have remained in contact so that we can undertake ecology surveys on their land.
"Over recent months, we have reviewed over 5,500 pieces of consultation feedback and undertaken further engineering and environmental assessments.
"This activity, including the study data from Chester Zoo's land, will inform the project's development and evaluation of potential location options for the pipeline.
"When we reach the stage of an update on the project, we will ensure stakeholders and the public who took part in the consultation are informed."
