GDPR & Data Rights — Zero Emission Journey
Last updated: November 2025
At Zero Emission Journey, we believe that privacy and transparency are just as important as recycling and clean energy. This page outlines your rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the EU GDPR, along with how we handle personal data responsibly and securely. We know this kind of thing can be dry, but we’ve kept it as readable as possible — because protecting your privacy shouldn’t come wrapped in legal jargon.
1. Who We Are
We’re Zero Emission Journey, a small independent team sharing honest, practical advice about sustainable living. Our website is https://zeroemissionjourney.com, and you can reach us at [email protected].
For data protection purposes, we are the data controller, which means we decide how and why your data is processed.
2. What Data We Collect
We only collect the information necessary to operate the site, communicate with readers, and improve our content.
We may collect:
- Comment details: Your name, email address, and IP address when you post comments (to prevent spam and display your message).
- Contact details: Your email address and any message you send if you contact us directly.
- Newsletter data: Your email address, if you subscribe to updates.
- Analytics: Anonymized information like browser type, country, time on site, and pages visited (via Google Analytics).
- Cookies: Small files that store preferences, enable analytics, and track affiliate links.
We don’t collect sensitive personal information (e.g. financial data, health information, or political views).
3. Why We Collect It
We process your data to:
- Display and manage comments.
- Respond to messages and inquiries.
- Send newsletters (only if you’ve opted in).
- Analyze site performance and improve usability.
- Manage affiliate programs and track legitimate commissions.
- Prevent spam, hacking, or abuse.
We never sell, rent, or trade personal data.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
Under Article 6 of the GDPR, we process data on these lawful bases:
- Consent (6(1)(a)) — when you leave comments, sign up for newsletters, or accept cookies.
- Legitimate interest (6(1)(f)) — for analytics, site security, and maintaining functionality.
- Contractual necessity (6(1)(b)) — when responding to your requests.
- Legal obligation (6(1)(c)) — when required to comply with applicable law.
You can withdraw consent at any time by contacting [email protected].
5. How Long We Keep Data
We keep your data only for as long as it’s useful and legally necessary:
- Comments: indefinitely (to preserve discussion threads).
- Analytics: typically retained for 26 months.
- Emails: deleted within 12 months after our last correspondence.
- Newsletter data: retained until you unsubscribe.
Once data is no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it securely.
6. Your Rights Under GDPR
You have full rights under GDPR, and we take them seriously. These include:
Access (Article 15)
You can request a copy of any personal data we hold about you.
Rectification (Article 16)
You can ask us to correct inaccurate or outdated data.
Erasure (Article 17)
You can ask us to delete your personal information completely.
Restriction (Article 18)
You can ask us to pause processing your data while an issue is being resolved.
Portability (Article 20)
You can request your data in a machine-readable format to transfer it elsewhere.
Objection (Article 21)
You can object to our use of your data for analytics or other legitimate interest purposes.
Withdraw Consent (Article 7)
You can withdraw your consent for any processing you previously agreed to.
To exercise these rights, email [email protected]. We’ll respond within 30 days.
If you’re unhappy with our response, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK via https://ico.org.uk, or your local authority in the EU.
7. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies for functionality, analytics, and affiliate programs.
- Essential cookies: Keep the site running (security, preferences, and basic operations).
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand which pages are most useful and improve user experience.
- Affiliate cookies: Track purchases made through our links, helping us earn small commissions that fund the site.
Cookies don’t identify you personally, and you can delete or block them anytime via your browser settings.
We don’t use dark patterns, hidden trackers, or any “data harvesting” tools.
8. Data Security
We protect your data with HTTPS encryption, secure hosting, password-protected admin access, and regular software updates. We also maintain encrypted backups and monitor for unauthorized access.
If a data breach ever occurs that could affect your rights or freedoms, we’ll notify both you and the appropriate authorities within 72 hours, as required under Articles 33–34 of the GDPR.
9. Data Transfers Outside the UK/EU
Some of our third-party providers — such as Google (Analytics/AdSense) or affiliate networks like Awin, CJ, and ShareASale — may process data outside the UK or EU.
In such cases, data transfers are protected under Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or adequacy decisions approved by the European Commission, ensuring equivalent legal safeguards.
10. Children’s Data
Our site isn’t aimed at children under 13 years old, and we don’t knowingly collect their data. If we find that we’ve done so accidentally, we’ll delete it immediately.
11. Complaints and Oversight
If you believe your data has been mishandled, please contact us first at [email protected] — we’ll fix it quickly and transparently.
If you’d prefer to escalate, contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
https://ico.org.uk
Helpline: +44 303 123 1113
EU users can contact their national data protection authority.
12. Updates to This Policy
We review and update this page regularly to stay compliant with GDPR requirements. The most recent version will always appear here with the “Last updated” date clearly marked.
Significant changes will be announced on-site.
13. Contact Us
For any GDPR, privacy, or data-related questions, email [email protected].
We’ll respond promptly — usually between solar panel maintenance and Donna’s ongoing war with plastic packaging.
At Zero Emission Journey, we talk a lot about sustainability — and we apply the same philosophy to your data. We collect less, waste less, and handle it responsibly. Because protecting your privacy is just another part of living a cleaner, more ethical digital life.