From left: CSO Øistein Jensen, VP Communications Anngun Dybsland, Mayor Marit Warncke and jury leader Lisbet Nærø, CEO of Fana Sparebank. Photo: Tove Lise Mossestad / Bergen Næringsråd
The Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Annual Dinner gathers 600 business executives, national and regional politicians, leaders within NGO and academia, and specially invited guests. It is one of the oldest existing formal events in the city, and this year marks its 178th edition.
The event is also an arena for awarding local entrepreneurs and companies that have made a special mark during the year. Among these awards is the Sustainability Award, which is given to ‘a company that creates value and has implemented one or more initiatives for sustainable development. The winner should inspire others and have sustainability embedded in their strategies and action plans.’ The award was first introduced in 2018 and has since become a prestigious accolade for the awardees.
Odfjell awarded for holistic approach to sustainability
To be eligible for the award, companies must be nominated. Following the nomination, the company itself responds and documents its initiatives and results. The winner is then chosen by a jury of business representatives, the mayor, and the CEO of the Bergen Chamber.
Mayor Marit Warncke shared the jury’s consideration when revealing that Odfjell has been honored with this year’s award:
“The winner of the Sustainability Award 2024 has integrated sustainability goals as a central part of their business strategy. The company is an inspiration in its industry. They have chosen not to wait for future solutions but rather work actively on all fronts to reduce emissions here and now. They have been early adopters in testing and implementing new technologies and have shown that it is possible to reduce emissions on a scale few thought possible.”
“They were among the first companies in the world to adopt and develop sustainable financing in their industry, showing that Norwegian companies can take lead and set new standards. The jury considers this a brave and innovative contribution to the transformation their industry must undergo to reduce emissions.
Equally important is the work they have done and are doing for social sustainability and human rights. They have set clear goals for equality, diversity, human rights, and social justice in an industry that experiences corruption in many parts of the world.”
“The jury emphasizes the company's holistic approach to sustainability, with ambitious goals and measures implemented across the board. This shows that the winner understands sustainability in its entirety and takes its role in society seriously as one of the world's leading companies in chemical transportation and storage. Based on this, the jury is proud to announce Odfjell SE as the winner of the Sustainability Award 2024.”
CSO Øistein Jensen accepted the award on behalf of the team, and underlined the team effort in his thank-you speech:
“We accept this award on behalf of Odfjell and all our colleagues ashore and at sea, who work every day to make Odfjell better and more sustainable. It is especially rewarding to hear the jury's rationale for recognizing our holistic ESG efforts, from decarbonization to human rights, anti-corruption, and sustainable finance. As a global company headquartered in Bergen, we are honored to receive this accolade from the Bergen Chamber and thank the jury for this encouraging recognition.”
