Norway has committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. The commitment has garnered massive support from Norway’s business sector and has led to the formation of ‘Norway 203040’.

Norway 203040 is a business-led climate initiative, a coalition between major businesses in Norway such as Agder Energi, DNV GL, Posten and Bring, Ruter AS, Fremtind, Statkraft, Renas, Coca Cola Norway, Storebrand and Umoe, as well as supporting partners WWF-Norway and ZERO. The coalition will demonstrate, to businesses and the government, the business potential that exists in the low-carbon economy and helps drive the transition.

Bjørn Kjærand Haugland, DNV GL’s Chief Sustainability Officer, is now the new CEO of Norway 203040. He is responsible for driving DNV GL’s global sustainability agenda and driving company’s vision of making a global impact for a safe and sustainable future.

Here Mr. Haugland discusses Norway 203040 and the road ahead…

The long-term vision of Norway 203040

Norway 203040 is a business-led climate initiative. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and to support the Norwegian government in delivering on its national climate commitments by 2030 (40 % reductions in Co2 emissions, hence the name 203040).

The business sector plays a crucial role in the transition we are facing. Norway 203040 has an industrial perspective when we turn climate challenges into opportunities and develop green competitiveness.

The new role

It is extremely motivating for me to lead this business-led climate initiative that gathers companies with the most ambitious climate commitments in Norway to take a leading role in the transition to the low-emission society. It is extremely motivating for me to lead this business-led climate initiative that gathers companies with the most ambitious climate commitments in Norway to take a leading role in the transition to the low-emission society.

Norway 203040 to accelerate the nation’s sustainability goals

We will work together with the leading businesses to develop sustainable markets, technology and solutions. We will collaborate with the government to point out where and how Norway can build new green industries, new green jobs and reduce our CO2 emissions quickly.

A collaboration between businesses and government

We will involve top business executives from various business sectors and top governmental executives to share best practice and showcase solutions. We will envision how we can use smart regulation as an enabler for fast uptake of solutions (the Norwegian EV market is an example of how regulations can be used to accelerate the uptake of new technology).

How to tackle the challenges ahead

First and foremost to communicate an inspiring, powerful and holistic vision of how the business sector can take a leading and proactive role in the transition to a low carbon future.  We will have our first CEO meeting at end of March. This will be an important meeting where we will conclude our main priorities, programs, and projects. We will organize the work through projects, pilots and workshops in order to be able to prototype and test out solutions quickly.

Norway is taking the necessary steps to achieve its goals and stay true to its commitments. But with oil and gas exports being one of the crucial contributors to the Norwegian economy, it would be a great challenge for the nation to keep its emissions in check.

Under the new leadership of Mr. Haugland and the successful implementation of sustainable initiatives, the change might be just around the corner.