Zero emissions research and initiative
Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives (ZERI) is a global network of creative minds seeking solutions to global challenges. The shared vision of the ZERI family is to meet everyone's basic needs with locally available resources. We embrace innovative business models that generate multiple benefits, increasing productivity while creating jobs.
The ZERI Foundation has been a network since 2001, serving as an antenna in the global economy by identifying the high-growth industries of the next decade. When there's a crisis, many companies suffer, but some thrive. Which ones will be the job creators of the future? What innovations will transform business models? What new business models are changing the rules of the game?
Thanks to its contacts across four continents and nearly 200 projects over the past 20 years that have demonstrated where opportunities lie, ZERI advises governments on which sectors to attract, businesses on which market niches to prioritize, and communities on how to ensure the continuous development of social capital. To do this, we conduct a review—identifying all opportunities—a selection process—reducing them to those that garner unanimous support—and a decision on implementation. We have a deep ethical commitment to open source, because we believe that solutions for a better world cannot be transformed into proprietary know-how protected by non-disclosure agreements.
The blue economy is ZERI's philosophy in action.
The blue economy is one where what is best for health and the environment is cheapest and where the necessities of life are free thanks to a local system of production and consumption that works with what you have.
" Innovative business models " are capable of bringing competitive products and services to the market, meeting basic needs while building social capital and improving the mindset of a life in harmony with nature's evolutionary path.
" Competitiveness " consists of harnessing and optimizing the innate virtues and values that connect untapped local potential - like a natural system, where seeds lie fallow to germinate with astonishing vigor at the first rain, releasing joy and happiness when the conditions for a spirited life are brought together in balance and harmony.
ZERI is one of the most innovative think tanks in the world, ranked 7th by the University of Pennsylvania.
The ZERI network is delighted to share a unique recognition received - totally unexpected.
The University of Pennsylvania publishes a ranking of think tanks worldwide.
ZERI ranks in the world's top 10 (No. 7) of think tanks with the most innovative political ideas/proposals.
We would like to thank everyone who challenged and inspired us. We have surpassed all the major German political research institutes, we rank among the best in Asia, and our friends at Development Alternatives (Ashok Khosla in India) are also highly ranked. Congratulations to Ashok!
Our "zero emissions" philosophy, first introduced in 1991, is gaining popularity, but more importantly, we are making significant strides with hundreds of concrete initiatives. Perhaps our greatest impact is the distribution of millions of fables in dozens of languages to children around the world, including in China. This is the largest long-term political initiative ever undertaken.
The beginning of the adventure
ZERI was created on April 6, 1994 by Gunter Pauli under the direction of Prof. Dr. Heitor Gurgulino de Souza, then Rector of the United Nations University (UNU), to translate scientific ideas, visions and knowledge into concrete projects.
Key Milestones:
- July 2000: ZERI's participation in the World Expo in Hanover, Germany.
- December 15, 2004: Presentation of ZERI's vision for the next 10 years.
- 1994-2004: Extensive development of the network among scientists, entrepreneurs, bureaucrats and educators; implementation of dozens of global projects; development of ZERI stories and global educational initiatives; refinement of the theory and practice of ZERI concepts.
Achievements include organizing the 10th Anniversary Zero Emissions World Congress in Tokyo, Japan (September 15-17, 2004), in collaboration with the ZERI International Foundation, ZERI Japan, Future 500, and E-Square Inc. The congress, with invited participants from Africa, Latin America, Europe, the USA, Japan, India, and China, featured diverse speakers including policymakers, business leaders, students, NGOs, and scientists. It highlighted support from Japanese ministries (METI, Environment, Foreign Affairs, and Education, Science, Culture and Sport), reflections on the origins and future of zero emissions, and presentations on projects such as biodiesel plants in Colombia, rainforest restoration across 6.3 million hectares of Colombian savanna, engineering innovations like porous and recyclable asphalt, and applications of biomimicry in production. The discussions highlighted creativity on resource shortages, educational initiatives for youth, political integration, and the evolution of "waste as food" design principles to include biomimicry and systemic approaches.
The evolution involved expanding the zero-emissions concept from a focus on the waste of one process becoming food for another, informed by natural systems and global projects, leading to refinement into four design principles (evolving to five) and guidelines for human society. It incorporated ideas such as zero conflict through dialogue, blending technology and biology, and establishing networks for collaborative efforts, such as doctoral schools for systems design and global standards for industries.
ZERI is ranked 7th in the world by the University of Pennsylvania for its innovative policy ideas and proposals, surpassing major German institutes and ranking highly in Asia (for example, with Development Alternatives in India). Its "zero emissions" philosophy began in 1991, with hundreds of initiatives; a key impact is the distribution of millions of fables in dozens of languages to children globally, including in China – its largest long-term policy initiative.
Thanks to the orangutans, Gunter decided to be part of the change.
Projects and Case Studies
ZERI participated in Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, where it built a pavilion almost entirely from Guadua bamboo. In 2009, the American Specialty Coffee Association recognized ZERI for a 15-year project in Colombia, collaborating with coffee farms to utilize unharvested coffee plant materials and prunings to cultivate Shiitake mushrooms, creating approximately 10,000 jobs.
Examples of projects:
Mushrooms: Teaches the cultivation of edible mushrooms to improve community health and well-being.
Diapers: References 60 years of disposable diapers as a Swedish initiative for quality of life, gender equality, and reducing the burden on working mothers.
Carrots: Represents food security, social development, job creation, and sustainability.
Las Gaviotas: Reforestation project in a savanna that has been transformed into a rainforest.
Bamboo: Involvement in the design of a bamboo structure for Expo 2000 in Germany; inspires sustainable farm designs in the tropical Andean highlands, promoting renewable materials.
Integrated Agriculture: At Montfort Boys' Town in Fiji, conversion of a vocational school into a sustainable living center for food and energy security.
Pigs: Transformation of the vocational school into a sustainable center, minimizing waste and promoting self-sufficiency.
Beer: Breweries in Namibia, Sweden, Canada, and Japan are converting brewing waste into valuable products, generating income and jobs, and closing material loops.
Reforestation: A community in Colombia is regenerating biodiversity, producing drinking water and biodiesel, reducing foreign debt, and promoting sustainable development through closed-loop systems.
Abalone: Linking shellfish farming and the cosmetics industry to harness local ecosystem abundance and create added value.
Asphalt: Italian and Japanese companies are integrating unrelated industries to innovate, crossing boundaries for creativity and economic opportunities from industrial waste streams.
Mushrooms
Teaches the cultivation of edible mushrooms to improve community health and happiness.
Diapers
Reference 60 years of disposable nappies as a Swedish initiative for quality of life, gender equality and reducing the burden on working mothers.
Carrots
Represents food security, social development, job creation and sustainability.
Las Gaviotas
Reforestation project in a savanna that has been transformed into a tropical rainforest.
Bamboo
Involvement in the design of a bamboo structure for the 2000 World Expo in Germany; inspires sustainable farm designs in the tropical Andean highlands, promoting renewable materials.
Integrated Agriculture
At Montfort Boys' Town in Fiji, a vocational school is being converted into a sustainable living center for food and energy security.
Pigs
Transformation of the vocational school into a sustainable center, minimizing waste and promoting self-sufficiency.
Beer
Breweries in Namibia, Sweden, Canada and Japan are converting brewing waste into valuable products, generating income and jobs, closing material loops.
Reforestation
Community in Colombia regenerates biodiversity, produces drinking water and biodiesel, reduces foreign debt and promotes sustainable development through closed-loop systems.
Abalone
Link between shellfish farming and the cosmetics industry to exploit local ecosystem abundance and create added value.
Asphalt
Italian and Japanese companies are integrating unrelated industries to innovate, crossing borders for creativity and economic opportunities from industrial waste streams.