Nordic CEOs & governments sign joint declaration for sustainability

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An alliance of CEOs and leading figures from large businesses in the Nordic region, have signed a joint declaration with the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries in Reykjavik to reinforce the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The Nordic CEOs for a Sustainable Future presented their ideas for achieving the UN SDGs through further public-private collaboration and the transition to purpose-driven business practices. The initial focus will be on climate action and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The meetings were part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ session held in the Icelandic capital.

Integrating the SDGs into business strategies

The CEOs are committed to integrating the SDGs into their business activities and decision-making, incorporating sustainability into their own policies and across their value chains.

Recognising that the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs is fast approaching, the companies are in particular looking at strengthening their efforts within the areas of climate change and diversity and inclusion. This will include:

  • Identifying scalable solutions across their value chains to accelerate reduction of emissions and collaborating on joint emission reduction efforts with other companies in the alliance.
  • Strengthening reporting on diversity and inclusion, using the insights gained to share best practices across the region, and joining forces on actions to improve.

Nordic CEOs for a Sustainable Future was created in 2018 to inspire joint leadership and action towards delivery of the SDGs in the Nordic region. The industry leaders in the group represent companies that have collective annual revenues of more than €110-billion, directly employing more than 290,000 people around the world, with operations in 119 countries, serving hundreds of millions of citizens every day.

Companies represented in the group include Equinor, GSMA, Hydro, Íslandsbanki, Marel, Nokia, Posten Norge, SAS, Storebrand Group, Swedbank, Telenor Group, Telia Company, Vestas and Yara International.

Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri, said: “The Nordic nations are respected around the world for two things: business innovation and strong social systems. We can combine those two qualities through public-private partnerships, and, in doing so, meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. By working closely together, business and governments can harness the advances of the fourth industrial revolution to fight climate change and make workplaces more diverse. No less than the futures of our children and grandchildren are at stake – let's collaborate now and start solving those challenges.”

“The vision is that the Nordic region will become the most sustainable in the world,” said Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobssdottir at the signing ceremony.

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