ESG in Practice

In this final episode of ESG in Practice season 1, Jeanett Bergan explores ESG's evolution from an emerging trend over 20 years ago to an important part of investment strategy. Drawing on her extensive experience, both on the investment side as well as implementing ESG in large multinationals, she highlights how investors early on recognized the long-term benefits of robust sustainability practices for risk management. The conversation shifts from reporting to real implementation—engaging suppliers, performing audits, and leveraging technology to secure timely, transparent data. Ultimately, companies that excel in ESG not only mitigate risks but also demonstrate strong management and long-term stability, which can drive superior financial performance.

In this episode of ESG In Practice, Lars Erik Lund, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability at Veidekke, explores the "Social" component of ESG. Lars highlights Veidekke’s social programs promoting workforce inclusion, mental health awareness, and diversity in the construction industry.

In this episode of ESG in Practice, we’re joined by Maja de Vibe, SVP of Sustainability Governance and Compliance at Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy generator. We explore how Statkraft integrates compliance and business goals to drive value creation, using digital tools to transform manual processes into streamlined, integrated systems. Maja shares insights into data-driven ESG transformation, from setting meaningful targets to aligning sustainability with operational efficiency. Discover how strong leadership and cross-department collaboration play a vital role in embedding ESG principles into the core of business operations.

In this episode of the ESG in Practice Podcast, our guest Cecilie Wetlesen Borge speaks about board responsibility in ESG and risk management. Cecilie, with her extensive experience as a company secretary, compliance officer, Partner at a law firm, and senior Big4 consultant highlights the critical role of boards in overseeing compliance and the need for active involvement in risk assessments. She emphasizes that ESG management shouldn't just be delegated to one officer—it's a leadership responsibility at every level. Cecilie also touches on the growing importance of double materiality, where companies assess both external risks and their own impact on the environment and society.

In this episode of "ESG in Practice," Richard Bistrong, CEO of Front Line Anti-Bribery, shares his journey from a top sales executive convicted of bribery to a thought leader in ethics and compliance. Richard discusses the shift from rule-based compliance to a values-driven approach, explores "ethical burnout," and offers practical advice for maintaining integrity in high-pressure environments.  Additionally, Richard introduces an article he co-authored, where he reveals 4 warning signs of ethical burnout on your team. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in ethics and compliance.

Elisabet Sandnes, EVP Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Management Team member at Faerch, shares her extensive background in sustainability and her role in driving impactful ESG strategies at Faerch, a B2B plastics food packaging producer that deliberately invested into integrated recycling capacity. The discussion dives into Faerch’s pioneering recycling processes for food packaging, the challenges of regulatory landscapes, and the critical need for industry-wide collaboration to enhance sustainability practices. Tune in to learn how Faerch is transforming the ESG landscape by integrating circular economy principles into their business model, making sustainability a real competitive advantage.

Sandy Spørck SVP of Sustainability & Quality at PGS, a global geophysical company that gathers offshore survey data and uses cloud compute to image the earth, discuss her transition from senior project management to senior sustainability leadership. Sandy explains how PGS integrates ESG into its operations, emphasizing data-driven insights, stakeholder engagement, and creating an internal sustainability network.

Tormod Tingstad, a compliance pioneer and former Chief Compliance Officer, discusses the practical application of Governance—the "G" in ESG—in corporate settings. This episode explores Tormod's role in establishing one of Norway's first compliance programs and his impact on compliance practices. We delve into the challenges and evolution of compliance frameworks, the integration of ESG, and the dedication required in these roles. Highlighting ESG's influence on corporate governance and sustainability, the episode emphasizes compliance's key role in fostering ethical business operations and its future potential.

Anna Romberg Ph.D, EVP, Sustainability, Legal and Compliance at Getinge and co-founder of Nordic Business Ethics Initiative (NBE) discusses promoting responsible business practices and the importance of fact-based discussions on governance and ethics. In this episode we discuss the results of the recent Nordic Business Ethics Survey that shares the results of the State of Ethics and Compliance from over 100 corporate compliance professionals. The conversation covers the challenges, opportunities, and strategies in implementing effective ethics and compliance programs, highlighting the critical role of data in enhancing ethical practices within organizations.

Join us as Øistein Jensen, Chief Sustainability Officer and member of the Executive Management at Odfjell, discusses the shift of ESG from a compliance requirement to a strategic asset. From his unique journey in the military, to Big4 consulting to sustainability in-house, Øistein shares insights on embedding ESG principles into the business. This episode highlights the significance of data-driven decision-making, challenges in identifying non-environmental data points, and practical strategies for enhancing ESG initiatives. Discover how to leverage ESG for strategic advantage.

Join us as Benedicte Teigen Gude, Chief of Staff, and member of the group General Management Team at Wilhelmsen with extensive experience in sustainability, shares her firsthand insights on implementing double materiality. Learn how one of the oldest global shipping companies navigates the complexities of assessing both its impact on the world and the world's impact on the company. Discover practical steps for integrating this dual perspective into a competitive ESG strategy.