Please note: The Atlantic harbor seals will temporarily be off exhibit while we improve their habitat for their comfort and well-being.
Energy and Water Use
We’re measuring and reducing the energy and water our facilities use, along with emissions from staff travel and guests’ trips to the Aquarium. Our goal is to reach net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2050.
What Are Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions?
- Scope 1: Emissions we produce directly on site, including gas for our vehicles, natural gas for our boilers, and anesthesia gases used in veterinary care.
- Scope 2: Emissions we can control and influence, including the electricity and steam that we purchase for operating our buildings.
- Scope 3: Indirect emissions, including goods we buy, off-site treatment of the waste we produced on site, and staff travel.
By the Numbers
- Total emissions: 5,572 metric tons CO2e in 2023; 4,135 in 2025
- 78% of staff commuted by sustainable modes of transportation in 2025
- 15% of our steam is green steam, as of January 2026
Recent Successes
- A Roadmap to Net Zero. In 2023, we worked with the consulting firm DNV to chart a path to net-zero carbon emissions.
- More Efficient Buildings. We’ve upgraded processes, pumps, and equipment across our buildings to cut the energy they use.
- Improved Pumps. In 2025, we added variable frequency drives to several pumps, helping them use less energy.
- Greener Steam. Since January 2026, 15% of the steam that heats our building has been green steam, produced from renewable or lower-carbon sources. We plan to increase that share by 2035.
- Counting Employee Commutes. In 2025, we measured how our staff commutes for the first time. About 78% of staff get to work by sustainable means.
What's Next
- Measuring More of Our Emissions. We’re expanding what we track to set a baseline and identify opportunities to cut Scope 3 emissions.
- Exploring Renewable Electricity. We’re looking into a power purchase agreement that would let us buy renewable energy certificates, which represent electricity generated from a renewable source and could significantly reduce or eliminate emissions from our electricity.
- Measuring Guest Travel. We’re developing a way to measure baseline emissions associated with guests’ trips to the Aquarium.
Sustainability at the New England Aquarium
