What is Zero Emissions Byron all about?

We all know there’s a climate crisis. We’ve heard that globally, we have less than 18 months to start to reduce our carbon emissions, or risk a massive negative impact on our way of life.
So what’s Zero Emissions Byron actually doing, then?
Our aim is to cajole, educate, promote, encourage, or otherwise provoke residents of our Shire into learning what we can each do to reduce our emissions to zero by 2040. And then doing it. (Read all about it in the ZEB 2018-2019 Annual Review.)

How do we do that? Well, we are an entirely volunteer and unfunded group, now registered as a charity. With only limited resources, what we can do is to focus public awareness on the specific issues. So each year we stage public events to do just that.
Last year it was the Climate Council’s Professor Will Steffen’s wake-up call at Byron Theatre: THE BIG U-TURN AHEAD, Calling Australia to Action on Climate Change. He provided a scarily convincing summary of the facts and figures of the climate crisis we’re facing. His filmed presentation is available on our website.

This year we held the Northern Rivers EV Forum at the Cavanbah Centre, focusing on the massive potential of Electric Vehicles to reduce carbon emissions by around 40% per household. As well as a display of the latest EV’s available, a series of experts set the scene for what’s currently happening in the industry.
ZEB focuses its activities on five sectors: Transport, Energy, Land Use, Waste and Buildings. First, we calculated the baseline data on each. That is, the actual amount of carbon our Shire emits in each of those sectors. Then, working with stakeholders in those sectors, we’re finding the best ways to reduce their emissions – and so creating an emissions-free future.

And it’s already happening. Read how ZEB members and friends are taking action to reduce their emissions in each of these sectors in OUR STORIES. There’s Sasha Mainsbridge in Mullumbimby, moving mountains in WASTE. In LAND USE, Lindsay Murray inspires us with his regenerative agricultural practises at Dingo Lane Farms, while Will Brook explains Brookfarm’s sustainable business practises. For TRANSPORT, check out Luke Young‘s fantastic e-bike rental services at Sunshine Cycles, to be found all round the Shire. And in ENERGY, Tim Hodgson is shining a light on solar at Light Touch Solar & Electrical… all worth checking out.