Creating a better tomorrow together

Taronga and Sydney Airport have joined forces in an inaugural 10-year partnership, dedicated to restoring over 3000 hectares of endangered habitat in Northern New South Wales.

This collaboration combines Taronga’s conservation expertise with Sydney Airport’s commitment to sustainability - aiming to protect iconic Australian wildlife, generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and help the airport achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030 (scope 1&2).

Fast Facts

- 10-year partnership supporting the Taronga Habitat Positive initiative

- 3,000+ hectares of land being restored in Northern NSW

- 36 threatened species to benefit, including koalas, regent honeyeaters, platypus, and quolls

- 1 million seedlings of Box Gum planted

- 25,000 Australian carbon credits delivered to offset emissions

- Net Zero by 2030 Sydney Airport’s target for Scope 1&2 emissions

Watch the partnership in action

Restoring Habitat

The 10-year partnership unites two of Australia’s most historic brands to drive meaningful conservation outcomes. It will enable Taronga to restore vital habitat at scale while pioneering a model for landscape-level restoration, creating a lasting legacy for Australia’s natural environment.

Habitat Positive is dedicated to restoring over 3,000 hectares of critically endangered Box Gum Woodlands in Northern NSW. This restoration will create safe havens for up to 36 threatened species, including koalas, platypus, regent honeyeaters, and spotted-tail quolls, by planting up to one million seedlings and rewilding land into thriving ecosystems.

The location on the Northwest Slopes was carefully selected, offering long-term climate resilience, with the region projected to experience relatively low changes in rainfall and temperature.

Cameron Kerr AO, CEO of Taronga Conservation Society Australia, describes the initiative as “a new era for Taronga and a new way of achieving landscape-scale restoration through partnerships with government, industry, community, corporate Australia and philanthropists. Habitat Positive is the next natural step, a commitment to not just protect species, but to reverse biodiversity loss.”

A Model for Sustainable Action

The collaboration is more than just environmental stewardship; it’s a blueprint for how iconic Australian institutions can work together for lasting change.

This 10-year partnership will support Taronga’s Habitat Positive initiative, while delivering 25,000 carbon credits to offset Sydney Airport's operational emissions that have not already been eliminated through electrification or other measures. This helps to achieve the airport's target of Net Zero (scope 1&2) emissions by 2030.

This world-leading project is the first of its kind for any zoo in the world and directly builds on Taronga’s century of conservation expertise and dedication to wildlife.

Taronga currently operates 16 recovery programs for priority species across Australia and has bred, cared for and released 60,000 animals, from tiny eggs and tadpoles to juveniles and adults, preventing extinction of seven native species.

This marks Taronga’s first major land acquisition since 1975, when 300 hectares were secured to establish Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Community, Culture, and Connection

First Nations partnerships are central to the project’s success, with Taronga working closely with local communities to understand cultural values during every step of the restoration. The initiative is the foundation for creating pathways for future employment and partnership opportunities, strengthening the bond between conservation and community.

Why This Matters

For millions of international visitors arriving at Sydney Airport each year, Taronga is a bucket-list destination - a place to connect with Australia’s unique wildlife. This partnership ensures that future generations can experience these wonders, while also supporting local communities and inspiring global action on biodiversity.

Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport, says “Sydney Airport welcomes tens of millions of passengers each year, giving many visitors their first glimpse of Australia’s incredible natural environment. With our passenger numbers expected to reach 72 million annually by 2045, Taronga is a major drawcard for international visitors eager to experience Australia’s wildlife in a truly unique setting.

As Australia’s gateway airport, we’re proud to be the first in our industry to take a leading role in this initiative, partnering with a trusted and iconic brand like Taronga to achieve high-quality conservation outcomes.”