Tag Archives: Sustainability Forum

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Sustainable Supply Chains & New Energy Technologies

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Sustainable Supply Chains & New Energy Technologies

AmCham recently welcomed members to an engaging Sustainability Forum session hosted by Nestlé. The meeting explored how companies across industries are integrating sustainability into core business strategies – from global food systems to emerging clean energy technologies.

The program featured special guest presenters Nils Erlimo, Communication Manager at Nestlé Norway, and Phil Harbidge, Subject Matter Expert for Wellbore Positioning within Halliburton’s Survey Management Norway department. Each presented how their respective industries are adapting to a rapidly changing environmental and energy landscape.

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Nils Erlimo
Communication Manager

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Phil Harbidge
Subject Matter Expert for Wellbore Positioning within the Survey Management Norway department

A Sustainable Business Strategy in the Global Food System

Founded in 1866, Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. Erlimo explained how Norway has played an integral role in the company’s history. Nestlé has been present in the Norwegian marketplace since 1898, when its predecessor Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company acquired Melkefabrikken in Kapp, eastern Toten. The Norwegian brand Vikingmelk was the first brand purchased by Nestlé, and Norwegian innovation has been instrumental. These early beginnings were then contrasted with the company’s current portfolio of more than 2000 brands and operations in nearly 190 countries.

“My goal is to show you this is a complex situation.”

Nils Erlimo

As a company whose products are based on raw materials, Erlimo emphasized that operating with sustainable business practices is not only the right thing to do, but also vital. With climate change increasingly affecting agricultural production, the long-term viability of key commodities such as coffee and cocoa depends on building more resilient farming systems. Nestlé’s approach focuses on supporting farmers while strengthening supply chains. Through various initiatives, the company promotes regenerative agriculture practices designed to improve soil health, increase farmer incomes, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On the company’s philosophy, Erlimo remarked that Nestlé does not simply employ a sustainability strategy – rather, it aims to operate a sustainable business, with environmental and social considerations fully integrated into how the company creates long-term value.

Advancing Geothermal Energy Through Innovation

Halliburton’s Phil Harbidge shared insights about Halliburton’s novel, emerging technologies that can help unlock the potential of closed-loop geothermal energy systems as a sustainable energy source.

Though geothermal systems provide energy by harnessing heat from the earth, developing such projects at scale often requires complex drilling operations and precise positioning of underground wells. Harbidge presented Halliburton’s work on magnetic ranging technology that helps reduce uncertainty during drilling operations and enables more accurate positioning of wells by detecting magnetic fields. Recent trials have demonstrated the technology’s potential. By improving accuracy and reducing the need for additional equipment and downtime, such innovations could make geothermal projects more efficient and less costly.

Harbidge emphasized that advancements like these may play an important role in expanding geothermal energy into new regions and topographies, helping to make it more scalable and accessible as demand grows for reliable, low-emission energy solutions.

Collaboration and Conversation

The forum concluded with an engaging exchange amongst participants, reflecting the shared challenge of balancing sustainability ambitions with operational realities across different industries. As host of the event, Nestlé treated participants to freshly brewed coffee from their in-house barista, providing additional knowledge on one of the world’s most traded commodities.

About AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Margrethe.Harboe@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Navigating AI & New Energy Realities

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Navigating AI & New Energy Realities

Cross-industry AmCham members convened for the latest Sustainability Forum to examine how Generative AI, shifting global energy dynamics, and long-term policy trends are reshaping both opportunity and risk for businesses in Norway, North America, and beyond.

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Derreck van Gelderen
Associate Partner, Head of AI Strategy & AI Energy Lead

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Mats Rinaldo
Deputy Director and Senior Principal Researcher – ETO

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Harnessing the Power of Generative AI to Accelerate Energy Transition

Opening the session, Derreck van Gelderen, Associate Partner, Head of AI Strategy & AI Energy Lead at PA Consulting, addressed the rise of the intelligent enterprise and implications of Generative AI to the energy sector. He noted that AI is rapidly becoming embedded into organizational life. As AI reshapes digital landscapes and decision-making processes, van Gelderen emphasized the importance of strategic direction, underscoring the need for step-by-step planning and incremental releases, as companies scale AI across complex systems.

“We should be holding AI to a higher standard than we are holding ourselves to."

Derreck van Gelderen

Van Gelderen further outlined what he called the sector’s emerging “energy paradox” – the tension between AI-driven innovation and the rising demands associated with it. While AI presents opportunities to optimize, decarbonize, and accelerate industrial processes, he warned that the excitement around AI is also “creating an unprecedented energy crisis and putting Net Zero targets at risk”, referencing computational costs, impacts on existing energy infrastructure, and current shortage of reliable, renewable energy sources. He concluded with perspectives for 2026, proposing that AI will be utilized not only to execute isolated projects within organizations, but will drive material impact on fundamental decision-making.

DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2025

Mats Rinaldo, Deputy Director and Senior Principal Researcher  at DNV, presented findings from DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2025, offering a long-term forecast of global and regional energy developments. The in-house model’s horizon to 2050 enables DNV to capture shifts in technology and policy, derived from research covering 10 world regions, 12 energy carriers, and more than 20 end-use sectors including transport, buildings, and manufacturing.

“Energy production is 'greening' and growing everywhere."

Mats Rinaldo

Rinaldo noted that major geopolitical developments have pushed many countries toward a heightened focus on energy security and independence, with implications for the pace of sustainability transitions. In North America, electricity demand is growing, dominated by data centers and EV charging; data center energy is expected to double by 2030. Despite short-term policy decisions, solar and wind will expand from 19% of electricity generation today to 55% by 2040. In other words, “solar is unstoppable”, and new milestones solar-generated energy production will be met.

On the discussion of Norway’s energy positioning, attendees engaged actively with questions on energy demand and long-term transition pathways. Rinaldo emphasized that global dynamics continually affect Norway’s energy transition, and that wind is the only scalable source of new energy. Norway’s energy transition is slowed by geopolitical tensions and national priorities. Domestically, hydropower is expected to remain at a stable rate, with no foreseeable growth. Per today’s forecast, Norway will not reach its national emissions targets without extensive use of carbon credits. Rinaldo mentioned agriculture as a hard-to-abate sector, with no significant opportunities to reduce emissions through current technologies.

Against a backdrop of accelerating technological change and geopolitical uncertainty, the session centered on how organizations can make informed and resilient decisions in an increasingly complex landscape.

About AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Margrethe.Harboe@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Walking the Line Amidst Uncertainty

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Walking the Line Amidst Uncertainty & Sustainability in Higher Education

Cross-industry member companies convened at Sustainability AS for the latest Sustainability Forum, with presentations and discussions addressing the evolving landscape of sustainability communication and the pivotal role of higher education in driving societal impact.

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Ingrid Aasaaren

Partner & Senior Advisor

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Daniel Dammann

Senior Advisor

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Astrid T. Sinnes

Vice Rector Sustainability

NMBU

Communicating Sustainability in Uncertain Times

Ingrid Aasaaren, Partner and Senior Advisor and Senior Advisor and Daniel Dammann, Senior Advisor at Sustainability AS, outlined the challenges organizations face today, ranging from regulatory uncertainty and fast-changing expectations to conflicting compliance frameworks.

They emphasized that companies navigating these conditions successfully tend to share several key traits. These include a communication strategy that is consistent yet adaptable, a deep understanding of both external stakeholders and internal audiences (particularly employees), thorough risk analysis, a strong long-term perspective, and data-driven storytelling to substantiate sustainability claims.

Aasaaren also addressed organizational ownership of sustainability communication. While traditionally housed within communications or government affairs teams, this responsibility is increasingly shifting toward financial departments – driven by the growing influence of financial institutions and regulatory requirements tied to sustainable finance.

Both speakers urged participants to adopt a long-term, “infinite game” mindset in their approach to sustainability communications. Unlike a finite game—with clear players, rules, and outcomes—an infinite game recognizes that sustainability is an ongoing, dynamic process without a defined end. To remain credible and relevant, businesses must evolve continuously and embed sustainability into the core of their operations and messaging.

"Elevated uncertainty is a feature, not a bug"

Daniel Dammann

Sustainability in Higher Education – Business & Societal Impact

Higher education institutions play a vital role in preparing the next generation of leaders to address complex sustainability challenges. At the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), this mission is pursued through a deeply interdisciplinary approach that combines biosciences, social sciences, and technology to develop holistic, forward-thinking solutions for a more sustainable future.

Astrid T. Sinnes, Vice Rector Sustainability at NMBU, shared how she redefined the university’s strategic direction by positioning sustainability not as an add-on, but as the central pillar of institutional strategy. From day one, Sinnes advocated for embedding sustainability at the highest levels of leadership and across campus operations. She spearheaded an ambitious initiative to equip NMBU employees with cutting-edge knowledge and competencies in sustainability, ensuring that expertise is distributed and embedded across disciplines and departments.

Sinnes highlighted the importance of collaborative innovation, especially during periods of global uncertainty. She emphasized that lasting, scalable sustainability solutions depend on strong partnerships between academia, industry, and society at large. By leveraging these synergies, universities can serve as powerful drivers of both business innovation and positive societal impact while providing value to companies.

"We can’t do everything, but everyone can do something"

Astrid T. Sinnes

About AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Margrethe.Harboe@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Digital Efficiency & Human Rights Policies

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Digital Efficiency & Human Rights Policies

Cross-industry member companies convened at Cisco’s Norway HQ for the latest Sustainability Forum, with presentations and discussions addressing digitization as a means towards sustainable solutions and pitfalls of human rights policy implementations, or lack thereof.

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Elisabeth Brandasu
Sustainability Lead EMEA-North

Cisco
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Oliver Stern
Managing Director – Investigations, Diligence and Compliance practice / Head Business Intelligence team (London)

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Enabling a Competitive and Resilient Energy Transition

Steinar Iversen, VP of Engineering & Head of Collaboration Devices Engineering at Cisco welcomed participants, introducing the venue that includes their Oslo Experience Center, housing Europe’s largest Cisco R&D hub, with 500 employees comprised of engineers, the supply chain team, customer center, and other functions. A key attribute of the digital tools and services delivered is their intrinsic facilitation of remote work that ultimately lessens the environmental impact of transportation.

Elisabeth Brandasu, Sustainability Lead EMEA-North at Cisco, presented a report co-written with Global Counsel that can serve as a framework to address the opportunities that digital technologies can play in supporting EU and global energy efficiency goals, while operating amidst monumental geopolitical uncertainty and large policy shifts.

At the core of Cisco’s strategy of moving toward a more regenerative future is an inclusive approach to digitizing the world, as outlined in Cisco’s Purpose Report. Brandasu explained how the company is maintaining laser-focus on their technology becoming the catalyst for other organizations to become more sustainable using circular design principles. Technology underpins progress, and “AI is the promise of this era,” but, as noted by Brandasu, represents an associated increased energy usage.

“AI is the promise of this era.”

Elisabeth Brandasu

Brandasu presented four main critical enablers; ‘Electrification,’ ‘Sustainable AI and Data Centers,’ ‘Energy Efficient Hardware and Digital Infrastructure’ and ‘Digital & Sustainability Skills’ – stressing the increasingly important role of academic institutions on qualifying the future generation to be equipped to confront sustainability challenges.

Celebrating its 40-year anniversary last year, Cisco is a global leader within IT and network operations, developing, manufacturing, and selling networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other technology services and products. 

Creating a Procurement Strategy That Works

Kroll is a leading provider of financial and risk advisory solutions and performs proactive, deep dive human rights diligence work in challenging markets as well as litigation support cases for clients facing allegations of wrongdoing.

What is the importance of human rights related risk identification and mitigation as part of commercial decision making? To answer this, Oliver Stern, Managing Director in the Investigations, Diligence and Compliance practice and Head of the Business Intelligence Kroll team based in London, drew from his extensive experience leading a wide range of investigations for corporations and financial institutions to prevent adverse human rights impacts for companies and investors.

Kroll views their work through the prism of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, assessing the real impact of communities on a granular level. The EU CSRD and CS3D requires consideration not only of product manufacture in the supply chain, but also the impact of economic activities on the communities in which one operates.

Though human rights policies are in place for companies to adhere to and operate by, “the policy itself is not the determining factor,” Stern concluded, as some businesses will rather be driven by cost and availability of capital for decision-making, only implementing the human rights policies if they increase access to capital.

“The policy itself is not the determining factor."

Oliver Stern

Companies may find themselves in a precarious situation, risking fines, if they rely on agencies to find labor, combined with making claims related to their human rights policies. The policies can be communicated, but also need to be integrated, tracked, and assessed to avoid being faulted by auditing bodies. Opting for an opaque supply chain is associated with high risk.

About AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Margrethe.Harboe@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Battery & Solar Energy & The Blue Economy

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum – Battery & Solar Energy & The Blue Economy

Member companies representing a wide range of industries gathered at FREYR Battery for the latest Sustainability Forum, where topics spanned from the crucial role of electrification and battery technology in advancing sustainability initiatives to the deployment of data- and technology strategies to mitigate environmental impact.

Sonia Gilde S. Rathscheck
Chief of Staff, FREYR Battery  

Stig Martin Fiskå
Global Head, Cognizant Ocean

Isabella Lindholdt
Delivery and Operations Director, Cognizant Ocean 

Meeting the Future’s Energy Demand

FREYR Battery is an energy solutions provider building an integrated solar- and battery supply chain headquartered in the US. Chief of Staff Sonia Gilde S. Rathscheck presented how batteries, combined with solar energy, offer durable, efficient, and renewable energy solutions. On the exponential energy-storage needs of the future, Rathscheck explained that batteries will be essential, proclaiming, “everything that can be electrified, will be electrified”.

“Everything that can be electrified, will be electrified.”

Sonia Gilde S. Rathscheck

Solar energy – the cheapest form of energy – paired with wind, represents an infinite source of clean energy, that can ultimately be stored in rechargeable batteries that are crucial to the world’s energy mix.

Ocean + Technology: The Blue Economy

Representing Cognizant Ocean, Global Head Stig Martin Fiskå, alongside Delivery and Operations Director Isabella Lindholdt, shared their expertise on digitalization as a driving force to solving sustainability challenges and transforming the blue economy, which fundamentally starts with understanding the ocean. By leveraging AI to solve operational challenges and adopting a holistic approach, their clients and partners are better equipped to “plan for the unplanned” in a series of complex operations.

“The plan goes out the window the moment the logistics-change starts."

Isabella Lindholdt

Through compelling case studies, Fiskå and Lindholdt showed how their work on Blue Food (aquaculture, wild fishing), Blue Transport (shipping, maritime transport), Blue Life (Water health, carbon apture) and Blue Energy (offshore wind and offshore oil & gas) supports their quest in protecting the ocean’s resources.

About AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Margrethe.Harboe@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Space as the Enabler for Sustainability Initiatives and the Ministry of Trade on Accelerating Transatlantic Green Transition.

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Space as a Sustainability Enabler and Accelerating the Transatlantic Green Transition

Cross-industry member leaders gathered at Kongsberg Satellite Services for an afternoon Sustainability Forum focusing on how KSAT´s services play a key role in Norway’s global sustainability initiatives and a discussion with the Ministry of Trade State Secretary Tomas Norvoll (Ap) on the eagerness of accelerating the transatlantic green transition.

Space as the Enabler for Sustainability Initiatives

Maja-Stina Ekstedt, EVP Sustainability, Public Relations & Communication, shared KSAT’s global operations within ground network services, earth observation services and government programs. KSAT is collecting and utilizing data for various coastline initiatives – monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, detecting oil spills, tracking vessel movements, and observing changes in natural environments. Additionally, KSAT collaborates with NASA to enhance these efforts. 

KSAT plays a pivotal role in the global sustainability value chain as the leading provider of ground network services, propelling Norway’s sustainability initiatives. This includes collaboration with the Norwegian Ministry of Climate in Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), which focuses on monitoring the world’s rainforests. Additionally, KSAT supports the Ministry of Trade’s Blue Justice Initiative by monitoring fisheries crime and promoting collaboration among over 60 countries.

“In space there are no borders, we need to collaborate”

Maja-Stina Ekstedt

With over 400 employees, Kongsberg Satellite Services is a global technology leader and is increasing the availability for fast and reliable information as evidenced in their Annual & Sustainability Report 2023.

Maja-Stina Ekstedt
EVP Sustainability & Communication

Tomas Norvoll
Ministry of Trade State Secretary

Strengthening our Alignment: How Can We Speed Up the Transatlantic Green Transition?

Tomas Norvoll (Ap), State Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, emphasized the increasing importance of the transatlantic green transition. He highlighted that increased collaboration is essential for enhancing focus on sustainability and advancing industrial development, as well as fostering more robust dialogue among companies. Tomas encouraged the group to align our transatlantic initiatives more closely to build a future proof sustainable economy.

Among the topics discussed was the importance of fostering closer collaboration between industry and government from the early stages of projects to expedite progress. The US Commercial Service also contributed valuable industry insights. All parties are dedicated to enhancing dialogue and strengthening cooperation as part of the broader US-Norway Comprehensive Dialogue on Commerce and Sustainability.

‘’We are in it together’’

Tomas Norvoll

About AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Janice.Gundersen@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Plastics & Aviation

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Plastics & Aviation

AmCham’s latest Sustainability Forum, hosted by NHO, brought together members representing diverse industries to learn about the NHO’s newly launched single-use plastic products partnership and from Avinor on how Norway is ideally suited as an international test arena for zero and low-emission aircraft.

 

Plastics and the Business Sector: The Norwegian Plastic Partnership

Andreas Pihlstrøm, lawyer at NHO and board member of the Norwegian Packaging Association, discussed the newly launched partnership between the Ministry of Climate & Environment and a number of business organizations to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic products. He illustrated how Norwegian businesses can take lead on the ambitious sustained reduction in the consumption of certain plastic products (SUP art. 4). Next is implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – setting legally binding goals and deadlines. 

He also presented on legal trends within plastics and shared resources for public access to information  and documentation on the different environmental acts and directives:

  • The Environmental Information Act, imposes a duty for companies to have and to give environmental information
  • The Transparency Act: Responsible business conduct in the supply chain, due diligence duties: Åpenhetsloven

Zero and Low Emission Aviation in Norway

Energy Transition Lead Erik By and Infrastructure & Drone Program Manager Terje Orskaug from Avinor unpacked Norway’s integral initiatives and political ambitions set in motion to advance the development of zero and low emission aviation in Norway. These include government actions, promising new technologies, and the creation of an ecosystem to facilitate innovation and establish Norway as an international test arena for new technologies. Furthermore, they discussed the government’s plans and ambitions laid out in the National Aviation Strategy 2023 and the National Transport Plan 2025-26. The aviation industry, with its high political and social importance, has established five main important work packages:

  • Market Dialogue
  • Airports, Infrastructure & Airspace
  • Energy Supply
  • Regulatory Sandbox
  • Communication & Knowledge Sharing
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About the AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, since 2018, AmCham has brought select, cross-industry member company representatives together to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Read more about our Sustainability Forum and please contact Janice.Gundersen@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Regulation as Opportunity & Operationalizing Across the Organization

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Regulation as Opportunity & Operationalizing Across the Organization

Cross-industry member leaders gathered at Lucid Motors’ studio for a morning Sustainability Forum focusing on how organizations can best orient themselves toward climate accounting and the methodical integration of sustainable practices across departments. 

Jack Huiman, Head of Retail & Marketing, shared Lucid Motors’ journey from the start – from modular battery innovations to producing EV’s that travel farther using less energy. This positions Lucid as EV industry leaders, with technology at the core of the expanding California company. 

Position Green’s Executive Chairman Joachim Nahem and Managing Director Morten Skodbo shared insights on how sustainability disclosure regulations present opportunities for business efficiency action. For its part, Position Green’s own software is designed for processes and systems to operate within digital taxonomy – enabling businesses to keep up with regulations and sustainability documentation.

Jack Huiman

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Kerry M. Bommen

Joachim Nahem

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Morten Skodbo

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What Does Success Look Like for Your Organization?

Kerry M. Bommen, Director Sustainability at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, presented on integrating sustainable practices into the core processes and future-proofing the business. With 4,635 employees in 16 countries, Kongsberg is a global technology leader and at the forefront of sustainable industry standards, as evidenced in their Annual & Sustainability Report 2023. Bommen emphasized collective responsibility with purpose – and a top-level leadership mandate. 

 About AmCham Sustainability Forum 

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward. 

Please read more about our Sustainability Forum and contact Janice.Gundersen@amcham.no for interest in future meetings. 

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and DNB’s New Transition Plan

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AmCham Sustainability Forum: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and DNB's New Transition Plan

AmCham’s recent Sustainability Forum, hosted by Bull & Co Advokatfirma, brought together engaged members for insights on the upcoming EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) – as well as for business implications, investor expectations, and regulatory demands in DNB’s recently released Net-Zero Transition Plan.   

Empowering Businesses for Sustainable Compliance

“We advise businesses to evaluate tools that enable them to report on the entire lifecycle of their products, to facilitate compliance with existing and upcoming regulations – such as the Transparency Act and the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR),” explained Magnus K. Hagem, Senior Attorney at Bull & Co Advokatfirma. He highlighted that the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is one new and powerful tool for businesses to be able to take lead in sustainable production and enhance transparency in their operations. The proposed DPP regulation, set to be implemented by 2030, will challenge various industries, and Magnus stressed the importance of making informed choices for businesses.   

DNB's Transition Plan

“Sustainability is an opportunity,” stated Gine Wang-Reese, EVP of Public Affairs & Sustainability at DNB, as she unveiled DNB’s Transition Plan and presented the report in detail to our group. Gine delved into the detailed work and insights underpinning the Transition Plan’s framework, covering aspects from methodology to incentives for businesses. She also discussed the plan’s governance, foundations, metrics, and targets. Gine emphasized that “collaboration is key” in the realm of sustainability and, with identified external dependencies, positioned DNB as a driving force behind the sustainable transition. 

Gine Wang-Reese
EVP Public Affairs & Sustainability

Magnus K. Hagem
Senior Attorney

About Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Read more about our Sustainability Forum and please contact Janice.Gundersen@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

AmCham Sustainability Forum: New Rules for Sustainability Communication & Scaling EV Learnings from Scandinavia to North America

AmCham News

AmCham Sustainability Forum: New Rules for Sustainability Communication & Scaling EV Learnings from Scandinavia to North America

AmCham’s latest Sustainability Forum hosted by Kruse Larsen brought together members representing diverse industries to learn about the new EU Directive on Green Claims and lessons learns from Circle K’s ambitious EV buildout in North America

New Rules for Sustainability Communication

Anne Therese Gullberg presented how several companies convey misleading impressions, knowingly or unknowingly, of their environmental impact or benefits to market actors and customers, defined as greenwashing. She illustrated how it’s difficult for consumers, companies, and other market actors to make informed and considered choices. In response, the EU has introduced new rules for companies’ green claims with the goal of consumer empowerment. Gullberg unpacked what these new rules from Brussels say about sustainability communication, how communications should focus on companies’ main impact, and discussed these new regulations might influence companies with commercial activities in Norway.  

Transitions

Snorre Skeie presented remotely from Raleigh, NC taking us through Circle K’s EV journey from Norway to the United States. Circle K has been heavily exposed and an early adopter, responding to the fast-paced transition to Electric Vehicles in the Nordics. Based on these learnings, Circle K has started an EV offering buildout in North America and Skeie shared his reflections from the ongoing implementation, innovative site designs, and energy management solutions.

Anne Therese Gullberg – Partner and Head of Sustainability

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Snorre Skeie – Director of E Mobility, North America

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About Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, AmCham brings select, cross-industry member company representatives together on an ongoing basis to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Read more about our Sustainability Forum and please contact Janice.Gundersen@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.