Publications
Role of Zero Emission Research Initiative
By Nirmala Nair (Director ZERI-Southern Africa)
The role and significance of Zero Emission Research Initiative has to be understood in the context of the dominant development paradigm. ZERI is an innovative school of thought that, while critiquing the modern development paradigm, has concrete alternatives not just in terms of theoretical positions but in concrete action plans. As put aptly by the founder Director of ZERI, Gunter Pauli, `earth cannot produce more; we humans must learn to do more with what earth produces.’
ZERI works in congruence with nature, observing nature and learning how it works. ZERI has evolved a philosophy based on a systems approach. Natural systems work in cohesion with complex multiple networks which have been supporting the integrated survival of life force on planet earth for billions of years.
Systems of nature are not linear. They operate on cluster based, cyclical, spirals. Each cycle, while in itself complete, feeds into other loops in natural interdependent designs. ZERI systems try to learn from these complex multi-looped natural systems and try to emulate these in current industrial and non-industrial processes. ZERI is thus multi looped, multifaceted and multi-dimensional. Just like nature that does not understand either monoculture or linear design principles, ZERI believes in developing designs that operate on clusters, where each one’s output, or unused resource is ingeniously converted into multiple new value adding production.
ZERI does not do away with science but adapts science to suit the local conditions, local resources and available local expertise, traditional body of knowledge to create the right blend of scientifically tested and locally viable projects.
ZERI brings cutting edge scientists, committed social activists and academics and business together on a joint venture `upsizing’ the economy while boosting local economic development, job creation, livelihoods and food security. Such a multiple strategy as opposed to a conventional linear core business strategy is a sure recipe for real transformation of the people, instilling self confidence, dignity and self esteem without instilling the need to always `catch up’ to the false notions of material well being alone that is being touted as the ultimate role of one’s self worth.
The relevance of ZERI philosophy therefore is that, while it attempts to tackle the damages done by unsustainable development paradigm, it has simple, practical solutions on how to remedy the situation along with ingenious ways of cutting out pollution and environmental degradation.
In a world of increasing joblessness, and public policies on privatization resulting in downsizing, rightsizing, lean production process, ZERI advocates upsizing, job creation and focuses on livelihood issues and food security.
The current South African developmental context
The last ten years have been a very challenging period for the post apartheid South Africa. While SA can boast of many world class progressive legislations and an equally world class constitution, the systems of delivery have been experiencing various blockages for many reasons that politicians and those in power may or may not agree on.
After ten years, we are witnessing an unprecedented gap between the rich and the poor in SA. We are witnessing joblessness, increasing poverty compounded by the increasing incidence of AIDS epidemics. The desperation and lack of proper redistributive mechanisms has begun to erode the cohesion of social fabric making itself evident in increased incidence of violence in general, violence on women and children in particular. In the absence of sufficient channels developing self worth, creativity, positive vision of the world, there is a tendency for energies to spiral down contributing to societal degradation eventually.
What is evident is the lack of sufficient pioneering efforts, lack of enough role models (other than the violent images portrayed by the media, branding and crass consumerism) to draw the youth in particular towards unleashing the vast potential creative energies. Strategies of linear models to fight against race, class and gender and the transformation models, though very popular among the corporate world, have not been very effective.
SA developmental experience has thus in no way been much different from other lesser- resourced countries in terms of developmental strategies. Rallying around of loose terminologies that does not render itself to any effective implementation other than garnering sufficient funds has become a prominent strategy. Keeping with this trend terms like sustainable development has come to be used with no rigorous understanding of the concept. Even terms like Zero emission, Zero waste etc are used very liberally in policy documents of government and corporate business. Use of such terms in policy documents does not necessarily mean that these will lead to appropriate implementation strategies.
In the absence of creative innovation and pioneering, cutting edge breakthroughs, social enterprises as well as industries and business have been focusing on linear production processes, core business strategies with a narrow view on achieving profit maximisation and downsizing of workforce. Mean and lean - simply put has been the strategy.
In the light of the above, it becomes evident, that ZERI strategy is very different. ZERI’s focus is both industrial production processes, big business as well local economic development that includes social enterprises and community initiatives. ZERI offers something very unique and cutting edge, facilitating profit maximisation while safeguarding the interests of the people as well as the environment. Clustering of industries means there is no one core business but many. Profit is not reaped from one source but many. There is no core strategy but multiple strategies. There is no fear of risk related to the core business as the risk factor is well distributed allowing a continuous inflow of income from many sources.
ZERI’s philosophy is thus in total congruence with the country’s vision of poverty alleviation, job creation and local economic development. The difference between ZERI philosophy and the country’s vision primarily lies in the belief system and a mindset. To promote a ZERI thinking and philosophy and develop a strategy based on ZERI means creating a new vision, a new ethos and new belief system. These cannot be achieved overnight. This requires critical enquiry and cutting edge thinking and pioneering minds to initiate such a creative process. Not driven by entitlement mentality but with a burning desire and passion to contribute towards an incredible process, ZERI has to have pioneers in the forefront working on entry strategies.
ZERI-Southern Africa Programme was launched in January 2004. Currently ZERI-SA is in the process of networking, identifying potential partnerships and project affiliations.
Some of the current focus of ZERI-SA includes, among others, creating a network through government and other forums to implement ZERI educational initiatives, translate existing ZERI stories into local languages, initiating a ZERI practitioners training programme, and working with business to introduce ZERI concepts into production processes. © 2004
