Zero sum means this:
Every account starts at 0. Let's say we agree that I'm a plumber and I will clean your drainpipes for 30 TEM. Then your account balance will become -30 TEM (debit) and my account balance will become +30 TEM (credit which I can spend in another transaction).
I know what zero sum means, but explain why you brought it up or why this is something significant to even mention, I guess.
There is no "starting amount" of TEM. It's zero for everyone and the total sum of member balances is always zero. It is still inflationary however.
Ok, I see that you just want to say "it's inflationary" because that's a dirty word around here.