Sustainability LIVE Chicago: Q&A Sonja Trierweiler, GNFZ

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Written By GNFZ
Sonja Trierweiler, Vice President of Community Development at Global Network for Zero (GNFZ)

Sonja Trierweiler, Vice President of Community Development at Global Network for Zero (GNFZ)

Sustainability Magazine speaks to Sonja Trierweiler, VP of Community Development at Global Network for Zero ahead of Sustainability LIVE Chicago

Heading to Chicago in just one month for a co-located event alongside Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, Sustainability LIVE Chicago will take place on 28 and 29 May 2025.

With one ticket unlocking access to all stages, the co-located event will provide an exclusive opportunity to network and collaborate at the intersection of sustainability, procurement and supply chain. 

Across the two-day event, attendees can look forward to a range of keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats and workshops to equip them with the knowledge to stay ahead of the curve in these dynamic industries.

Don’t miss out on your chance to attend Sustainability LIVE Chicago – Secure 2 for 1 entry on tickets NOW!

Sonja Trierweiler is the Vice President of Community Development for the Global Network for Zero (GNFZ). She applies her forward-looking communications expertise and business marketing background to build community and enact change. 

Sonja champions GNFZ’s mission, guiding partners to conceptualise emissions-cutting plans’ positive impact on their business’ bottom lines, on the planet and human health for generations. 

She has an extensive portfolio of storytelling initiatives in sustainability and the built environment, through educational, marketing and digital platforms.

Most recently, Sonja served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Fitwel healthy building certification system. 

There, she and her staff managed marketing campaigns and strategies to support business objectives and increase digital engagement. Her work helped educate the public on the financial advantages of healthy building design. 

Before this, Sonja was the Director of Digital Marketing and the Living Standard Campaign at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), where she spearheaded projects for cleaner and environmentally friendly building certification. 

Her leadership on the Living Standard campaign significantly advanced the now-common message that healthier buildings make for healthier people.

As a leader at GNFZ, Sonja’s favourite part of the job is answering questions as she engages and grows the net zero community. She’s always open to discussing the possibilities and challenges of adopting aggressive climate policies.

Sonja will be speaking at Sustainability LIVE Chicago, here we discuss her involvement ahead of the event. 

Sonja Trierweiler, Vice President of Community Development at Global Network for Zero (GNFZ)

What inspired you to get involved in the event?

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, especially when it comes to sustainability and the built environment. 

Whether it’s through education, communications or organising, I believe it’s important to meet communities where they are to share stories and spark conversations around how we can move toward a more resilient future. 

This event offers a platform where we can explore ways to turn talk into action at every level, while centring the diverse perspectives of women leading the charge – and I’m excited to be a part of that conversation.

What will your panel focus on?

The truth is, women are disproportionately affected by climate change, but we’re also driving the change and shaping what a more sustainable future looks like. 

As a woman working in this space, I have a deep appreciation for the women who came before me – it’s critical to build support for and encourage more women to step into this work.

In the Women in Sustainability breakfast briefing I’ll be sharing real stories, bold thinking and practical insights from women who are leading the way in sustainability and ESG strategy. 

I’ll talk about my own journey and the obstacles I’ve encountered along the way, as well as the inspiring work being done by the incredible women I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with.

What do you hope to achieve through the event?

I’m energised by the opportunity to connect with others who are just as passionate about driving real change. 

With the current lack of strong federal climate leadership and clear policy direction at the national level, it’s never been more important for cities, communities and local leaders to step up – and that’s exactly what we’re seeing.

Cities like Chicago are proving how powerful local action can be. From committing to 100% renewable energy for all city buildings to pushing forward innovative sustainability initiatives, the city is showing what leadership looks like. 

At my organisation, the Global Network for Zero (GNFZ), we’re working alongside that momentum – building strategies and systems that support a net zero future that’s not just possible, but practical and inclusive.

Through this event, I hope to prompt bold conversations, share actionable ideas and connect with others who are ready to lead from the ground up. We may not have all the top-down policy support we’d like, but that makes grassroots and city-level leadership even more critical.

What emerging trends do you believe will shape the future of sustainability over the next decade?

One word: Certifications. And a lot more of them! 

As pressure builds across sectors to prove real, demonstrable progress toward net zero, third-party verification and validation are becoming essential. 

It’s not just about making claims anymore – it’s about being able to back them up with data and accountability.

We’re already seeing commercial buildings lead the charge. With their large carbon footprints and the clear operational and insurance benefits of going green, they’re increasingly pursuing net zero and sustainability certifications. 

The industrial sector is also stepping up, especially around process optimisation and energy efficiency, critical for tackling the emissions tied to manufacturing.

And then, of course, there’s energy. We can’t talk about net zero without mentioning the urgent need to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Decarbonising the power grid is absolutely foundational.

Another huge trend is the growing focus on Scope 3 emissions—the indirect emissions across the value chain. More organisations are realising that to truly get to net zero, they have to look beyond their own walls and work closely with suppliers, customers and partners.

All in all, the global shift toward net zero is happening, but the next decade will be all about who can accelerate from intention to impact and how quickly we can get there together.

Networking opportunities

Beyond insights and trends, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago is a unique opportunity to network with industry experts and peers across the intersection of sustainability, procurement and supply chain. 

Join us in Chicago and take part in this transformative journey. Discover how sustainability, procurement and supply chain can work together to achieve sustainable development.

Essential diary dates for 2025

Discover the essential diary dates for Sustainability Magazine and its sister publications – Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital. 

To follow Sustainability LIVE on LinkedIn, click here.

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