Written by Professor Gunter Pauli in 2004, the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of ZERI.
We owe our progress to the millions who, over the past few decades, have engaged with, explored, and challenged the concept of zero emissions. We are also grateful to the ecosystems of the five continents, which, despite the odds, have shown a desire for life and survival.
Today, Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI) stands at the point of reflecting on the experiences gained over the past years and looking ahead to the next decade. The future of global development is not solely the privilege of those who initiated the concept, but rather the responsibility of everyone eager to participate in this work.
What we have achieved at ZERI today began with a series of ideas over twenty years ago:
1. We aim to use all that we have to meet the basic needs of all living beings on Earth.
2. We seek to find creative solutions to the urgent problems of our time.
3. Most importantly, we strive to turn waste into nutrients and energy for others to use.
"The only entity that creates waste is humanity; in nature, waste does not exist." This principle became the starting point and guiding force for ZERI. Naturally, the research and initiatives that stem from this vision are grounded in nature’s design principles.
We have always taken time to observe nature, whether in extreme environments such as the Namib Desert or the Amazon rainforest, striving to understand how natural systems operate.
We do not shy away from failure, recognizing that the evaluation of a failed project can help us rethink, clarify, and rise stronger. Through persistent efforts, the guiding principles of zero waste and zero emissions, inspired by the "Five Design Principles of Nature," have developed rapidly. Therefore, we believe that the next decade of actions and reflections will begin with a deeper understanding of how natural systems function, though no one can predict the exact progress. With the understanding that "learning never ends," we expect to refine more principles and better ideas over the next decade.
Debating Economics Alongside Science and Theory
Over the past decade, we’ve had the opportunity to understand a reality felt by many: that the economy and management systems, driven by core business and cash flow analyses, do not meet the basic needs of everyone. While this system might be the best we can imagine so far, it fails to address poverty, protect the environment, and only reacts during moments of extreme crisis. While we have signed over 100 international environmental treaties, and the Kyoto Protocol is in effect, while environmental reporting and corporate responsibility have become common language in multinational companies, the reality remains harsh: waste continues to pile up, and the environments we depend on are still being destroyed. Core business, core competencies, outsourcing, globalization, and supply chain management must evolve, just like everything else. We advocate for a market system that meets people's needs and produces what is truly required.
At the 2004 ZERI World Congress, we compiled twelve economic and management principles based on case studies, marking our first attempt to articulate a new framework. We must expand our understanding of economics to use what we have—particularly our culture, traditions, and ecosystems—to meet the basic needs of all. We must test and refine these ideas in a continuous quest to build an economic system led by proactive, creative, and innovative leaders. This will require the involvement of many creative thinkers, ideally those who have never studied economics before.
A Grand and Unstoppable Vision for the Next Decade
The vision for the next ten years is grand and unstoppable, yet it has its limitations. If this vision were dependent on just one person’s effort, it would seem too ambitious and destined to fail. However, if a team—well-organized and appropriately passionate—works together, they can apply the "law of least effort": the right time, the right place, and the right people will work together to achieve the goal.
The "Ten-Year Vision" represents ZERI’s commitment to research, dialogue, education, and action. We are grateful for the support and blessings of those who care about our work. From 1994, when ZERI was just an infant, we are now moving towards maturity, continuing with concrete actions, and this is only the beginning.
Read More:
The Three Research Agendas of Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI)
Educational Initiatives of Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI)
From Innovative Concepts to Implementations -- The Vision of ZERI