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Haugland to lead Norwegian business-led climate initiative

A senior executive from DNV GL has left the class society to head up a Norwegian climate group.

Bjørn Kjærand Haugland, once tipped for the top post at DNV GL, has become CEO of Norway 203040, a business-led climate initiative aiming to accelerate the Scandinavian nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy and support the government in delivering on its national climate commitments by 2030.

In February 2015, the government announced its pledge to reduce Norway’s total emissions by 2030 by 40%, compared to 1990 levels. This promise by the government encouraged twenty leading Norwegian businesses and four supporting partners to come together to accelerate Norway’s low-carbon transition.

“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,” Haugland commented on taking the new job. He had been with DNV since 1991, most recently serving in a high profile role as chief sustainability officer.

“Here in Norway there’s a strong focus on green growth, and the maritime sector promises to be a key area of transformation and job creation, especially in the context of the challenges presented by declining oil and gas production off the Norwegian continental shelf,” Haugland added.

With support from leading organisations across various sectors, including DNV GL, Equinor, Kongsberg, Hurtigruten and Umoe in the maritime and offshore sector, Norway 203040 identifies new business opportunities on the way to building a low-emission society.

Jens Ulltveit-Moe, CEO of Umoe and the founder and chairman of Norway 203040, commented in a release: “We wanted to strengthen the outcome of the network by hiring a CEO. Our voice has not been strong enough, so we need to strengthen it. I am glad that Bjørn is now entering the role of CEO and I am confident that hiring him will lift us to new levels.”

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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