What were the main findings of your report on corporate sustainability for the UN Global Compact?
We were honored to take on the job of assessing the impact of the UN Global Compact since it was founded in 2000. Our main finding was that a lot has happened, but far from enough. Sustainability has moved from the corner office of the corporate responsibility officer to the boardroom. As well as being discussed in the perspective of risk and risk management, sustainability is also being discussed as an opportunity—people are looking at sustainability as a driver of opportunities.
“Companies are now developing a more mature view of their role in society”at sustainability as a driver of opportunities”.
Bjørn Haugland, Executive VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, DNV GL Group
Is sustainability mainly an issue for big companies?
The small and medium sized companies are probably the next wave. Big companies have a role to play here as well because they can make requirements down their supply chain. We are already seeing the start of this. Smaller companies also need to be inspired and to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to start moving.
How is the relationship between sustainability and innovation evolving?
It is becoming stronger all the time. Sustainability is fuelling the priorities of our research and innovation agenda. Another aspect is that increasingly we have to work on these innovation challenges together, with our customers and with other partners. Many of the challenges of sustainability cross over different sectors. It is important to bring different sectors together, such as the oil and gas sector with offshore wind
