An interview with Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise on sustainability training

SustainCase: Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise is bringing GRI and IEMA Sustainability Training to Iceland in collaboration with London based Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Certified Training Partner FBRH Consultants and Navigo.

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place from Mon 9 – Wed 11 March 2020, which are designed to prepare businesses to start addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, take all round sustainability action ASAP and prepare sustainability reports.

Can I have your comments on this please.

All steps that encourage increased awareness about these issues should be welcomed. Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise wants to be in the lead in this project, as is the case with so many other initiatives around the competitiveness of Icelandic business. A successful approach in this field is just one of the crucial factors regarding competitiveness for the years to come.

SustainCase: How do you think sustainability reporting will help, in practical terms, companies in Iceland achieve business success? Also, how do you think sustainability reporting will impact the economy of Iceland in general?

Sustainable use, waste reduction, better use of resources are critical drivers for success in business-operation in the coming years. Companies that acknowledge these issues and report on how they are doing in this field are more likely to show reliable performance in the future. Excellent performance and increased value-creation of companies are beneficial to all.

SustainCase: There is a growing body of research (Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Mintel, UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen) that suggests companies need to be part of the sustainable economy to survive. Can I have your comment on this?

The sustainable use of natural resources is one of the fundamental elements of the Icelandic economy. For decades, Iceland has been dedicated to a sustainable approach in both its fisheries and energy sectors. By doing so, Iceland has realized not only tremendous economic value for the companies involved but also long-term benefits for the Icelandic economy.

SustainCase: Millennials, the largest generation ever, are overwhelmingly pro-sustainability and are showing this with their every action on a personal level and as decision makers in businesses. Is this also the case in Iceland?

Yes! That is definitely the case here. Consequently, because of the millennial push, older generations are becoming more aware of the importance of changing how we live our lives in this regard—and they are taking action.

SustainCase: What are, in your view, the most important economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges Iceland faces today?

In Iceland, we are very fortunate in regards to many of these factors. We benefit from very clean water and air, and we are rich in natural resources. Currently, our main challenge is to understand the scope of these challenges on a global scale and increase awareness for the necessary actions. We need to look beyond Iceland. We need to understand and become aware of what is going on globally.

SustainCase: Global warming is, today, the most important challenge to sustainable development. How do you think Icelandic companies can help fight climate change?

Icelandic society is based on the production of sustainable energy.  All of our electricity and heating is from renewable energy sources such as geothermal and hydroelectric. Iceland has participated in the EU´s climate strategy, including ETS since 2008. By doing so, we can hopefully share our experience in the field, and this could lead to fewer emissions across the EU. Additionally, many companies in Iceland are ambitiously striving to become carbon-neutral by minimising waste and by carbon offset through forestry and soil conservation.

Samtök Atvinnulífsins facilitates GRI Certified Sustainability Training in Iceland

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place in March. A collaboration of Samtök Atvinnulífsins with London based FBRH Consultants and Navigo:

• 2-day FBRH GRI Standards and IEMA approved course (Mon 9 – Tue 10 March 2020)
  This course prepares all participants to project manage a first-class sustainability report and succeed in taking all round sustainability action ASAP.

• 1-day FBRH GRI Certified “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your reporting process”
  Participants are taught the recommended methodology for choosing the right SDGs for action and how these can be addressed using the GRI Standards. It is important to note that the GRI Standards are the only sustainability framework that can address all the SDGs.