(Reykjavik, Iceland, 20 August 2019) The Nordic CEOs for a Sustainable Future, an alliance of the leaders of the Nordic region’s leading businesses, today met with the Prime Ministers of the five Nordic countries to discuss a collaborative approach to addressing sustainability challenges.

The CEOs presented their vision for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through greater public-private sector collaboration and the transition to purpose-driven business practices. The alliance will initially focus on climate action, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The meetings formed part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ session held in Reykjavik, Iceland, this week.

“The Nordic region is historically and culturally bound together, based on shared values and beliefs. The companies we as CEOs represent have brought these values with us when expanding into new business areas and markets. We believe that when we work and act together, we can make positive and lasting impact. It was this realization that made us form the Nordic CEOs for a Sustainable Future. With a focused commitment on two of the most pressing issues of the day – climate change and diversity – we hope to drive change both within our own organizations and with our respective business partners,” says Sigve Brekke, President & CEO, Telenor Group.

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 common 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 EUR110 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.

“There is a strong interest in the Nordic region for collective solutions. At the same time, we’ve seen CEOs in this region are personally engaged in realizing the SDGs. All of the companies have strong track records in sustainable business practices, but these CEOs have seen an added value in committing to address certain areas collectively. I believe that’s a powerful foundation to drive change not only in this region but globally,” says Mats Granryd, Director-General, GSMA.

“The Nordic region is historically and culturally bound together, based on shared values and beliefs. The companies we as CEOs represent have brought these values with us when expanding into new business areas and markets. We believe that when we work and act together, we can make positive and lasting impact. It was this realization that made us form the Nordic CEOs for a Sustainable Future. With a focused commitment on two of the most pressing issues of the day – climate change and diversity – we hope to drive change both within our own organizations and with our respective business partners,” says Sigve Brekke, President & CEO, Telenor Group.