About Skift

Skift is a business-driven climate initiative. Our overall goal is to accelerate the transition to a zero-emissions society so that Norway and Norwegian businesses achieve the climate goal of a 55 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 - in line with the Paris Agreement. Skift promotes that the business community should take the lead and show what business opportunities the green transition presents. We work for this through collaboration, networking, skills development, and political influence.

A profitable and growing business requires a reduced climate footprint

Norway has reduced its emissions by 4.7 percent since 1990 and has set a target of a 55 percent reduction by 2030. To cut the remaining 50.3 percent over the next seven years, major structural societal changes are required.

There is a growing awareness in the public debate about the challenges and opportunities posed by the climate and nature crisis. At the same time, the business world is experiencing a great need for a broad increase in competence in sustainability, climate, nature, and new technology, which is important in the transition. We believe that Norway can secure its competitiveness in the years ahead by further developing areas where Norway already has a competitive advantage, and by creating new markets where we have good starting points. Skift, therefore, works to:

Increase the speed of implementation of climate solutions in our member businesses.
Show how to create green competitiveness by linking green value creation and effective climate and nature policy.
Be a driving force for good climate, nature, and business policy.
Inspire political decisions and stricter requirements for business.
Spread knowledge, experiences, and inspiration in and beyond the Skift network.

Our members

Skift's members consist of over 60 of the largest companies in Norway. Collectively, we have a significant impact on Norwegian business, and Skift works to spread knowledge about the crucial role of business in the development and implementation of the green shift.

The members of Skift have significant operations in Norway and many are active in the Nordics, Europe, and the world. We focus on the transformation of Norway, but the climate and nature crisis requires a global approach, and we also engage in Nordic and European issues through partnership and cooperation.

Skift, formerly known as Norge203040, was established in 2015 and changed its name to Skift – Business climate leaders in 2019. Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, CEO of Statkraft, is the current chairman of Skift. Climate optimist and investor Jens Ulltveit-Moe is the initiator behind Skift, an active board member, and was chairman until the spring of 2023.

Our focus areas – Climate, nature, and a broad transition

In addition to climate, Skift works with nature and a broad, green transition. We have identified ten major areas that business leaders are working strategically on, 10 Big Climate Shifts. We arrange meeting places and arenas for the members through projects and skills development, and we have several learning arenas with principles that you can stand behind, designed to inspire the entire business world to make a sustainable change: Guide Against Greenwashing, Green Purchasing, Circular Businesses (NO), Measures for Climate Adaptation (NO), Sustainable Food Systems (NO), nature, and Sustainable Finance Function (NO). We promote three broad overarching instruments for the green transition:

It must cost more to pollute. We must count emissions like we count money.
We must set stricter requirements for green purchasing, by requiring ambitious climate and sustainability requirements in purchasing.
We must set higher requirements for climate reporting and budgeting in Norwegian companies.