Efteling has revealed plans to be climate neutral by 2030 and climate positive by 2032. The new sustainability goals were announced as part of the park’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
Fons Jurgens, Efteling’s CEO, said sustainability “has been part of our DNA since the establishment of the Efteling Nature Park Foundation in 1950”.
The attraction has taken “several steps, large and small, to benefit the environment”, he said.
By 2032, the fairytale theme park in the Netherlands aims to remove more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than it emits.
Efteling recently installed a carport system with 12,000 solar panels. Soon, the park will be able to produce 20 percent of its annual energy consumption itself, approximately 4,320,000 kilowatt hours (kWh).
This is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of around 1,750 households.
Jurgens said the team has “replaced unsustainable lighting with LED lights across the main entrance building and some of the larger attractions and purchased various electrical vehicles and electric leaf blowers”.
“The creation of the carport system with solar panels is our biggest step so far in terms of sustainability, and we are far from finished,” he added.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Efteling would be required to limit its annual attendance to 5 million visitors or reduce its nitrogen emissions.
Efteling takes steps to benefit environment
“This year, Efteling celebrates its 70th anniversary and we want to be able to offer another 70 years of enchantment, and beyond,” Jurgens said.
“It is therefore important that we take our sustainability seriously, ensuring that Efteling is still here in 70 years’ time, and we can pass on our beautiful park to future generations.”
Meanwhile, the park has broken ground on the new Efteling Grand Hotel. Due to open in spring 2024, it will be the largest hotel within the Dutch theme park.
Efteling has also closed its ‘Spookslot’ haunted house, making room for a new eerie area and indoor attraction called Danse Macabre.
Images: Efteling
