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SUSTAINABILITY SPOT
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
by Colley Hodges, architect, Houston Zoo
Advancing Sustainability in the Attractions Industry
Five essential lessons
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE ATTRACTIONS INDUSTRY CAN TAKE ON MANY FORMS, but it’s clear that minimizing
our environmental impacts is a growing expectation of guests, staff, surrounding communities, financial backers,
and even regulators of the industry. IAAPA is committed to leading a sustainable transition, and while many
member organizations are somewhere along the path, many others have not truly started their journey.
Here are five lessons that are useful to any organization, whether they are already industry leaders in
environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability or just getting started.
Lesson No. 1 | Learn from Peers
The attractions industry is full of success stories. Any facility can draw
on precedents from other organizations to guide their own sustainability
goals and identify ways to implement them. Zoo and aquarium groups have
published green guides, handbooks for single-use plastic reduction, and
retail sustainability. The Green Sports Alliance has playbooks on topics like
decarbonization and reducing food and packaging waste. IAAPA itself also
has a collection of resources. It makes sense to tailor goals and strategies to an
organization’s specific goals, but facilities don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Interested in
engaging with other
industry professionals
about sustainability?
Visit IAAPA
Communities:
Lesson No. 2 | Prioritize Progress Over Perfection
When it comes to setting sustainability goals, it’s easy to get stuck in a debate
about which goals to set and how best to achieve them. Years spent in ideation is time not spent advancing a sustainability strategy and accomplishing
real-world good. A mix of short and long-term goals allows an organization to
build toward major future achievements while also notching early wins. But
don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good—just commit and take the first
steps.
Lesson No. 3 | A Sustainability Plan Is a Living Thing
Measurement and re-evaluation should be fundamental parts of sustainability
planning. It’s important to pair goals with performance metrics that are
tracked and reported. But an organization, its physical campus—even entire
industries—can look very different within a few years. Don’t be afraid to
adjust targets based on new information along the way.
Lesson No. 4 | Green Design Is Good Design
Sustainable buildings benefit both owners and occupants. Energy and water
efficiency save money as well as protect the environment, and features like
improved indoor air quality and access to natural light mean healthier spaces
for staff and guests. Pursuing third-party standards for design and operations
ensures accountability and maximizes marketing potential.
Lesson No. 5 | Plan for a Changing Climate
Studies show that the nature of climate risks vary across regions, and
identifying localized hazards is increasingly relevant to business planning.
Whether it’s diminished attendance due to extreme heat or cold, damage to
facilities from stronger storms, or trickle-down effects that impact supply
chains, organizations should plan now for a changing climate. Sustainable
practices are an effective means to increase organizational resilience.
Colley Hodges is
an architect who
leads the Houston
Zoo’s sustainability
program. He was
awarded top honors
for sustainability by
the Association of
Zoos and Aquariums
in 2024. Connect with
him on
:
IAAPA.org/Funworld | JULY/AUGUST 2026 | Funworld
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