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 an implementation decision. 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 " is about 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 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
In 1994, I created ZERI (Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives), initially based at the United Nations University in Tokyo, as a network of 3,000 scientists seeking pragmatic solutions to poverty, climate change, and competitiveness.
Discover these archive images that trace the beginning of ZERI
