Welcome to INSPIRE Net Zero!
At InspireNetZero.org, we aim to inspire organizations and individuals to adopt activities that achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions or reach net zero. Join us in inspiring change! Take bold action today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adopt sustainable practices, and achieve net zero for a healthier planet.
Together, we can make a difference!
The Story Behind “Inspire Net Zero”
“Inspire Net Zero” was born from the shared vision of an American and a Mongolian with extensive backgrounds in tourism and marketing media. Over the past 20 years, we have worked tirelessly to support local livelihoods through tourism, contributing to poverty reduction by providing opportunities for increased income. However, our experiences revealed a deeper, more systemic issue: the root of poverty is closely tied to environmental change.
Providing additional incomes, while helpful, is akin to giving breathing masks to people living near a fire—offering temporary relief but not addressing the core danger: the fire itself. Similarly, mitigating poverty requires tackling the larger issue—reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change poses a direct threat to the livestock industry, the primary livelihood of Mongolia’s herders, as extreme weather and environmental degradation put their way of life at risk. In urban areas, the situation is equally dire. Air pollution in Mongolia claims over 7,000 lives annually, with half of these victims being children. Toxic air severely damages the developing lungs and respiratory systems of babies, creating a long-lasting health crisis.
We don’t have a second habitable planet. It’s time to unite, protect this world, and address the root causes of these threats. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, we can create a healthier, safer environment where future generations can thrive. Let’s work together to inspire change—for the sake of our children and the planet we call home.
Vision, mission, and values.
The mission of Inspire Net Zero
To inspire, educate, collaborate and empower organizations and individuals to take action and adopt practices that achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions or reach net zero.
Key team members or collaborators:
Zanjan Fromer, is a globally recognized International Development Specialist, Environmental Conservation Advocate, and Rapid Expeditionary Development (RED) Strategist, with over 30 years of experience driving transformative change in sustainability, post-transition recovery, and climate-conscious tourism development. His career began in Mongolia in 1994, where he worked to integrate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into national frameworks. Inspired by Mongolia’s landscapes and biodiversity, he later collaborated on snow leopard conservation initiatives, focusing on research, tagging, and preservation efforts. Fromer has since partnered with organizations like USAID, The World Bank, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). His innovative approaches, including cross-industry supply chain analyses and frameworks for mobilizing rural and nomadic communities, align with global goals for sustainability and resilience.
A passionate advocate for environmental storytelling, Zanjan has directed global campaigns that emphasize sustainability, cultural preservation, and now towards climate action. He has produced centerpiece films for the National Geographic Society Museum and the Rubin Museum of Art, showcasing Mongolia’s unique traditions and ecological significance. With 30 years of experience working with a variety of non-government organizations, international agencies (e.g., USAID, Swiss, Word Bank, etc.), Fromer has implemented 100s of projects across rural regions to internationally famed business events and expos – that’s backed with over 20 years of film, international TV productions, and multimedia marketing endeavors for a vast variety of public-private sector partnerships. As the founder of GER to GER, Mr. Fromer has received numerous accolades and recognitions for his endeavors, including a Medial of Honor and many mentions as well as features written in major international publication (National Geographic Society, UNESCAP, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, USA TODAY, etc.).
Bayarsuren Yalalt (co-founder): International development expert with over 20 years of experience in sustainable development, gender equality, and climate action. An Oxford MSc in Environmental Change and management graduate and Harvard Master of Public Administration candidate, I specialize in driving inclusive economic growth through innovative, community-driven projects. As the co-founder of GER to GER, I led nationwide community-based ecotourism initiatives, positively impacting over 200 nomadic families. I’ve also coordinated international productions, including The Amazing Race USA & Australia and CCTV, while promoting Mongolia’s tourism at global fairs across the USA, Europe, and Asia.
Recognized for leadership by USAID and the Australian Awards, I’ve collaborated with the World Bank on Mongolia’s national tourism master plan and conducted sustainability analyses for UNDP’s bamboo and cacao farming systems in the Philippines. My work focuses on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals by empowering marginalized communities, fostering inclusive economic growth, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Action Areas
Focus: The key focus areas of Inspire Net Zero are encouraging businesses to transition their operations to net zero and supporting local communities at risk from the impacts of climate change.
Focus topics in 2025: Fight Air Pollution, Save Our Children.
Access to a clean and safe environment is a fundamental human right, yet millions of Mongolian children live in conditions that jeopardize their health and future. Air pollution is a silent crisis in Mongolia, responsible for over 4,000 annual deaths from pollution-related diseases, half of whom are children. During Ulaanbaatar’s harsh winters, particulate matter (PM) levels exceed the World Health Organization’s standards by 17 to 35 times. In the spring of 2024, 10 family members tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning after using a coal stove in their ger, a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable solutions to Mongolia’s energy and air quality crisis. This is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health and human rights emergency that undermines the well-being of the most vulnerable. Despite significant investments in mitigation programs, Mongolia continues to struggle with implementing effective, long-term strategies. To protect public health, strengthen resilience, and ensure equity, Mongolia must transform its energy system by reducing reliance on coal and advancing renewable energy solutions. Growing up amidst environmental degradation, I witnessed how air pollution disproportionately affects children in low-income households. This experience motivates me to lead change that ensures every Mongolian child can breathe clean air, regardless of whether they live in a $500 ger or a modern home. Transitioning Ulaanbaatar’s 220,000 coal-burning households to clean, electric heating could reduce urban air pollution by 42%. Among these households, 92,000 live in traditional Mongolian gers, small dwellings measuring 27 m². Equipping each ger with electric heaters, proper insulation, and ventilation would cost an estimated 3 million MNT ($900) per household.
Get Involved Today!
Inspire Net Zero aims to insulate and equip 10 Mongolian homes with electric heaters this year, creating safer and more sustainable living conditions. The total cost of this initiative is 30 million MNT (approximately $9,000). We invite you to join us in this effort—your support and donations can make a significant difference! We can make a difference for children, ensuring that they grow up in a world where clean air is a basic human right, not a distant dream.
