Call to fast-track sustainability action

Author: Ulrike Haugen

Leading Nordic corporations and institutions are joining forces to create breakthrough action on climate change within the next 1,000 days. The initiative will be launched in New York to an exclusive audience of 100 business and thought leaders on September 20.

On September 20, 100 key global leaders and influencers meet in New York during Climate Week NYC to discuss one crucial question: How fast can the world solve some of the most urgent challenges? Recent scientific reports have suggested that the window of opportunity to avoid catastrophic consequences of climate change is narrowing. They foresee that the next 1,000 days are pivotal in tackling climate change and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Events such as Harvey and Irma and the flooding in Southeast Asia have been a wake up call to this new global reality.

Initiated by Sustainia, the United Nations Global Compact and DNV GL, a group of Nordic corporations and institutions have taken up the call to be the driving force behind global action. The three partners have invited a selected group of leaders from business, finance, cities and government to a discussion on how to fast track innovation. They will extend an invitation to join a task force, to connect, scale and communicate the solutions that need to be enacted before we pass too many tipping points.

Erik Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Sustainia, says: ”It is our belief that we can already make important changes within 1,000 days. We have already mapped thousands of solutions that help reach the SDGs. Now it is a matter of connecting and scaling them, which takes a great and united effort. Yet it is doable, and we are committed to prove it.”

The Nordic corporations and institutions that have joined Sustainia, the UN Global Compact and DNV GL in this mission include representatives of the Nordic business, financial and innovative establishment: Grundfos, Storebrand, Innovation Norway, Sparebank and Katapult. They have done so as partners of the initiative Global Opportunity Explorer – an online platform showcasing hundreds of business solutions and opportunities addressing the SDGs and fueling a sustainable future. Not only does the platform provide answers to current global challenges, it also facilitates innovative collaborations across sectors and borders. The Global Opportunity Explorer will serve as the vehicle in the new 1,000 days venture.

Rooted in over five years of research from 17,000 business leaders and 17 expert panels, the Global Opportunity Explorer connects the 300 solutions to a new sustainable market universe based on the Global Opportunity Reports, with 45 ripe market opportunities addressing the SDGs.

Bjørn K. Haugland, Chief Sustainability Officer at DNV GL, says “The Global Opportunity Explorer is a global community which can inspire companies to navigate new markets and disrupt their business model, putting the 17 Global Goals to action. From our position focusing on sustainability, technology and innovation, we are convinced that existing and new technologies willdrive solutions supporting the world’s 2030 agenda.”

“More and more businesses are seeing the SDGs as inspiration to create innovative solutions that address some of the world’s biggest challenges,” says Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “The Global Opportunity Explorer brings all of these solutions into one dynamic place where companies, investors and entrepreneurs can connect and work together to bring these solutions to scale for real impact. I invite you to join this new platform and help us create the world we want by 2030.”

Cities will be on the front lines of this new reality and are crucial in turning the global risks into new opportunities. Therefore, the event on September 20 will be kicked off with highlights from the newest annual edition of the Cities100 report, showcasing 100 of the world’s leading urban solutions for climate change.

Please visit goexplorer.org

About the partners

Sustainia is an international sustainability think tank and consultancy working to accelerate action towards a sustainable future. In order to realize this, we partner with companies, cities, and organizations to map their position, help them navigate new markets, and communicate with impact. Find out more on sustainia.me

DNV GL is a global quality assurance and risk management company. Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, we enable our customers to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. Operating in more than 100 countries, our professionals are dedicated to helping customers in the maritime, oil & gas, power and renewables and other industries to make the world safer, smarter and greener. Find out more on dnvgl.com

The United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible corporate practices. Launched in 2000, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 70 Local Networks. Find out more on unglobalcompact.org