As the region slowly opens up again, at ZEB we have been discussing how we can’t afford to go back to normal. Especially when it was ‘normal’ that landed us here in the first place.

Now is our last best chance to relook at how we treat our local ecosystems with fresh eyes. To look to the future and reimagine a new normal of care, custodianship and regenerative principles. To reimagine a normal where we become worthy ancestors to future generations and leave this beautiful region in a much better state than how we found it.

Zero Emissions Byron is lighting the way towards zero emissions by 2025. Our work has been focussed on living well, within our budget, with renewable energy resources, replanting our trees, regenerating our ecosystems, reusing goods we used to throw away, recycling waste, revisiting transport options, rethinking local systems and, of course… reducing our emissions.

“The Byron region has a wonderful opportunity to show Australia how a resilient and regenerative community can function.
Local initiatives like Zero Emissions Byron play a crucial role in developing a roadmap to get us there.
This can only happen with ongoing support.”  Damon Gameau, 2040.

To help us continue our valuable work, ZEB invites you to contribute to the 2020 Annual Appeal. ZEB relies on you, our community, for your support as we are unfunded by government.

Every donation over $2 is tax-deductible.

This year, we’re seeking $10,000 to expand our projects and to support our programs to educate, inform and involve the community.

We all know there’s a climate crisis. Recent droughts and fires across Australia have been heralding its arrival, loud and clear.
We’ve know that globally, we have la matter of months to start to radically reduce our carbon emissions, or risk a massive negative impact on our way of life.

The aim of the team behind Zero Emissions Byron is to educate, promote and encourage residents of our Shire into finding out what we can each do to reduce our emissions to zero by 2040. (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 do is focus public awareness on specific issues.So each year we stage public events to do just that.

In 2018, 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, and is now being translated into German to reach a wide European audience.
In 2019, we held the first 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. The next EV Forum is set to happen on Saturday, 26 September 2020. Details to be confirmed.

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.