Wingecarribee Zero Emissions, or WinZero as they’re mostly known, is a great example of what’s possible when smart ideas, committed people and strong relationships come together.
Based in the Southern Highlands (also known as the Wingecarribee Shire), on the lands of the Gundungurra and Dharawal people, WinZero is a community-led umbrella organisation working towards a sustainable, vibrant and resilient region. They collaborate to design and deliver practical climate and energy solutions that work for their local community.
A collaborative approach to change
Connection and collaboration are consistent threads throughout their work. As an umbrella group bringing together local environment and community groups, WinZero provides a shared voice and platform, helping to align local efforts and amplify impact. They have also built strong, long-term relationships with the local council, researchers and delivery partners, which has increased the credibility and reach of their work, particularly when engaging with decision-makers.
From concern to practical action
Founded shortly after the Black Summer bushfires, WinZero’s projects are united by a clear ethos: climate change is already affecting communities, the need for action is urgent, and people need practical pathways to respond. Spanning household energy, community education, planning and advocacy, their projects help turn shared concern about climate change into coordinated action.
A current focus is their Virtual Energy Network. Part of a Deakin University study, this innovative community-led initiative uses software that enables households and small businesses to buy and sell solar energy through the existing electricity grid. In practice, this means that solar producers can earn better value for surplus energy, while others are able to access locally generated solar energy at competitive prices.
They also recently worked with RegenLabs, bringing together over 50 different participants, including producers, businesses, community leaders, government and funders for an opportunity mapping exercise. This one day event explored possible regenerative economic futures for the Southern Highlands, or as they’ve coined it a ‘Highlands Homegrown Economy'. By the end of the event, they’d unearthed twenty transformational projects at various stages of maturity, from food logistics hubs and community co-ops to cultural initiatives and land restoration projects.
Over the coming year, WinZero plans to continue building out their Highlands Homegrown Economy network map, developing a visual portfolio of projects and businesses with the aim of increasing profile, attracting support and enabling more connection and collaboration across the region.
For groups interested in this approach, AdaptNSW has published a step-by-step Opportunity Mapping Playbook based on the work of RegenLabs and WinZero, offering a practical guide that could be adapted in other regions.
Other WinZero initiatives include supporting the uptake of household batteries and energy upgrades; convening community forums and workshops on sustainable building, electrification and energy efficiency; and advocating for planning outcomes that support more liveable, walkable neighbourhoods.
To learn more about WinZero and their projects, visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Images (top to bottom): Highlands Homegrown Economy Opportunity Mapping (photo credit: John Swainston), Fossil Off! Campaign.