The Net Zero Conference is one of the largest annual conferences in the world dedicated to net zero design.[1] The conference provides tools and knowledge about ways for buildings, products, and corporate operations to transition to net zero,[2] such as moving away from fossil fuel use.[3][4][5]

Net Zero Conference
GenreConference
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Los Angeles
Years active10 years
Inaugurated2014
FounderDrew Shula
Next eventSeptember 17-18, 2024
Organised byVerdical Group
Websitehttps://netzeroconference.com/

The Net Zero Conference is hosted and produced by Verdical Group, a sustainability and green building consulting firm. The conference focuses primarily on the built environment due to the fact that approximately 40% of global carbon emissions come from buildings,[6] but covers a broad array of sustainability topics including: climate change, net zero buildings, environmental, social and governance (ESG), zero waste, social equity, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate resilience.[7][8]

Since 2019, the Net Zero Conference has featured the annual Trailblazer Awards Gala,[9] which awards leaders who have made a positive impact on people and the environment.[10][11][12]

Verdical Group founder and CEO, Drew Shula, created the Net Zero Conference in 2014.[13] In its first year, the conference had approximately 100 attendees.[14] As of 2023, the conference has grown to more than 1,500 attendees from 53 countries and 45 U.S. states.[15]

The Net Zero Conference has previously been held at the LEED Gold certified Los Angeles Convention Center,[16] but will be held at the LEED certified Anaheim Convention Center in 2024. The event has been featured in media publications such as Metropolis, Canary Media,[17] and Forbes[18] and has been used as a platform for major announcements by USGBC and the World Green Building Council.[19]

Notable Net Zero Conference keynote speakers[20]

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2023

  • Wawa Gatheru, Founder & Executive Director, Black Girl Environmentalist

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Notable Trailblazer Award Winners

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2023

2022

2021

  • Xavier Roussel, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Dole Food Company
  • Ellen Jackowski, Chief Impact Officer (CIO) & Head of Sustainable Impact, HP
  • Nicole Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

2020

2019

References

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  1. ^ "Net Zero for All: An Interview with Net Zero Conference Event Chair Drew Shula | Trim Tab". 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  2. ^ Woodruff, Chloe (2023-08-28). "Net Zero Conference Coming Soon to Ignite Climate Action". Innovation & Tech Today. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  3. ^ Woodruff, Chloe. "Verdical Group's 7th Annual Net Zero Conference: Building a Net Zero Future". Metropolis. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  4. ^ "Stop F*cking Around – Build Our Zero Carbon Economy Now". Facade Tectonics Institute. 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  5. ^ Tucker, Ethan. "With the Net Zero Conference, Drew Shula Aims to Inspire Radical Transformation". Metropolis. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  6. ^ "Navigating the Path to Net Zero". Metropolis. April 12, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  7. ^ Woodruff, Chloe (2023-08-28). "Net Zero Conference Coming Soon to Ignite Climate Action". Innovation & Tech Today. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  8. ^ "Meet the Climate Leaders Awarded at this Year's Net Zero Conference". Metropolis. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  9. ^ "Verdical Group: Building a Net Zero Future | 1% for the Planet Blog". www.onepercentfortheplanet.org. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  10. ^ Backbone (2022-09-30). "Klean Kanteen Co-Owners Awarded 2022 Trailblazer Award". Outdoor Sportswire. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  11. ^ Mattress, Avocado Green. "AVOCADO AWARDED TRAILBLAZER AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  12. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Stadium Receives Trailblazer Award at 2022 Net Zero Conference | Mercedes-Benz Stadium News". www.mercedesbenzstadium.com. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  13. ^ Admin (2022-08-01). "Net Zero Conference Q&A with CEO Drew Shula, Verdical Group". Getting to Zero Forum. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  14. ^ "Q&A with Drew Shula, founder of the Net Zero Conference | U.S. Green Building Council". www.usgbc.org. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  15. ^ "About Us". Net Zero Conference. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  16. ^ "Net Zero 2022 Makes the Case for Expanding the Green Movement". Metropolis. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  17. ^ "Steelmakers forge ahead on cleaning up their notoriously dirty…". Canary Media. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  18. ^ Steele, Jeffrey. "It Is Zero Hour For Net Zero Energy Buildings". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  19. ^ Thorpe, David (2018-06-12). "Industry challenged to achieve net zero carbon buildings". The Fifth Estate. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  20. ^ hello@verdicalgroup.com (2023-09-29). "Honoring Past Keynote Speakers and Trailblazer Award Winners". Net Zero Conference. Retrieved 2024-04-15.