Aim
To unite like-minded individuals committed to environmental protection, climate action and sustainable living.
Our story & purpose
Born of adversity, driven by hope
Wingecarribee Zero Emissions was an idea that began under the haze of the bushfires, came together during the global pandemic and will continue on for decades.
Who we are
A strong, powerful voice for the environment
Our goal is to unite like-minded and passionate individuals to protect the environment, take climate action and live sustainably in the Southern Highlands.
We are an umbrella organisation that coordinates and supports the many existing environmental groups in the region. We're a not-for-profit run by volunteers and donations, and a registered charity. WinZero grew out of Climate Action Now Wingecarribee (CANWin).
And if you live in the Southern Highlands, we're doing all of this for you.
The WinZero community model: from a committed core to the whole community.
Purpose
Aim, vision, mission
Vision
To create a sustainable, vibrant and resilient community for current and future generations.
Mission
To form alliances, then find and promote initiatives that government, businesses and residents can easily action or support.
What we do
Inform, support and empower
There are three main ways WinZero helps sustain the beautiful countryside we live in.
Inform
Shine a light on the truth. It's your community, your family and your livelihood. You deserve to know what's going on so you can make informed decisions about your future. We uncover the facts and share them, so everything's out in the open.
Support
Have an idea for a greener Wingecarribee? Our journey to net zero needs three things: ditching fossil fuels, embracing energy efficiency and nurturing the natural world. If your idea fits any of those, we want to hear it.
Empower
Make it easy for everyone to take action. There's no point doing all of this if people can't act on it, so we make everything as easy as possible to do, support and get behind – for people, businesses, local authorities and government.
The Southern Highlands
Here's how we stand
Also known as the Wingecarribee Shire, the Southern Highlands is a dispersed community of just over 50,000 people spread across 2,330 square kilometres. Yet we're united on one thing.
50,000+people call the Wingecarribee Shire home
2,330 km²square kilometres, from the escarpment to the tablelands
#1emissions source: electricity use, especially industrial
#2emissions source: on-road transport
Wingecarribee is a regional area, moderate in size relative to the state average with moderate urban density. Its major emissions source is electricity consumption, due to the community's scale of population and commercial activity. The second largest source is on-road transport.
These are the figures we need to reduce. Now we just need to get on with it.
Source: Snapshot community climate tool, led by Beyond Zero Emissions and Ironbark Sustainability (2018–19 snapshot). See the Wingecarribee snapshot ↗
Governance
Accountable to our members
WinZero Incorporated (ABN 17 583 480 707) is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Members are invited to General and Annual General Meetings, where the board is elected and annual reports and financials are presented.
Strength in numbers
Every member makes WinZero's voice louder with Council, government and business. Membership is $30 a year ($20 for students and pensioners).