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S-HUB Member stories

Elisa Dahl Walderhaug - CEMAsys

28/3/2021

1 Comment

 
Founded in 2007, CEMAsys specializes in Consultancy, Data Collection and Software Service Tool on Sustainability. They are providing innovative solutions and analytical expertise to Environmental, Social and Governmental challenges that companies are facing. CEMAsys was one of our first partners and joined S-HUB september 2017, and since then they have been actively cooperating with S-HUB, bringing valuable ESG insights on taxonomy and measuring strategies. Explore more about their fascinating journey from our discussion with Elisa Dahl Walderhaug, Head of Consulting at CEMAsys.
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About Elisa Dahl Walderhaug
​When Elisa was ten years old, she won a small rowboat in a grocery-store lottery. She grew up five meters from the beautiful fjord in Ålesund, so the rowboat could not have gotten a better owner. Elisa spent every minute of the day in the rowboat exploring the ocean and grew a strong love for nature. Elisa fundamentally believes that nature is the best thing we have. Her love for nature is what has brought her where she is today; “It is as simple as that”, she says. 

She continues by telling that, “I pursued my main degree in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation - my favorite subject. During my studies on the beautiful islands of Hawaii, I saw for myself what physical climate change did to ocean biodiversity. Coral reefs were grey and unlivable in contrast to the tourist catalogues that portrayed a colorful and thriving ocean. This was soon after the financial crisis of 2008, and people were really struggling to get by. For a long time the whole economy was in a deep crisis and the work with oceans and wildlife were put on hold. For me, this adds the S and the G to my ESG. It developed my sustainability understanding of the need for the full triple-bottom to change the status quo and make a JUST transition.”

"...It developed my sustainability understanding of the need for the full triple-bottom to change the status quo and make a JUST transition.”


Elisa shares that studying Climate Change can be really depressing, that some students found it hard to digest the results of climate change, as biodiversity loss and temperature rise is devastating to witness, observing that the University brought in a shrink every semester. It reveals how important and emotional the subject of sustainability is and why we become so passionate about the subject. Nevertheless, Elisa finds fuel in these challenges saying it brings meaning and that she is doing something she is passionate about; “My job is a part of who I am.”

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What is CEMAsys area of expertise?
We provide expert advice, tools and training on ESG topics that gives our clients advantages when talking to their colleagues, company leaders, the board or any other stakeholders. We have developed a sustainability reporting system. A state-of-the-art cloud-based system called www.Cemasys.com that gathers, manages, and analyzes your ESG data. Our focus is to transfer knowledge from our consultants to inhouse sustainability employees, so they are equipped to make the right decisions when enhancing their sustainability performance.

"At CEMAsys, sustainability is 100% of what we deliver."
​

Why is sustainability important to CEMAsys?
Sustainability has always been at the core of what we do at CEMAsys. Our founders started the company named CO2focus in 2007. We changed the name to CEMAsys because we found the old name not broad enough to cover our developed tools and advisory services on all sustainability topics. 
At CEMAsys, sustainability is 100% of what we deliver. 

Sustainability is important to all of our consultants who are passionate about their work and try to impact, share and align our clients business strategy with sustainability reporting and practices that combine the entire ESG specter. ​
What are the greatest sustainability challenges for your industry?
When it comes to climate change, the challenges are logical if you think about it; We have a limited capacity of the atmosphere for carbon pollution, and the fossil fuel assets cannot be burned. They should stay where they are, under the ground. When solving our climate crisis, the major challenge is to find a better foundation to tackle our global social issues.


Historically, sustainability has been a topic which was put on hold when a major crisis happened. Nowadays, and during Covid, sustainability has rooted and moved beyond delaying until normality returns. It is probably the very first time in history when sustainability focus has not been altered by the current societal crisis. This is really an enormous change compared to when I started working at CEMAsys seven years ago. 
​

"Our main goal is to set the stage for a just transition. I want to see transparency in companies and real commitment to pursue ESG practices. My appeal to all companies would be: “Please, tell me the whole story, no exclusions, and no fake news.” 


​Who is your sustainability role model?
I read a lot about the financial side of climate risks and love digging deep into subjects on the investor transition that is needed to decarbonize and green the economy. Robert Litterman promotes investing against fossil fuels. I do not have as much money as him, sadly, but I am passionate about not investing any of my few NOKs into fossil fuels. Also, Paul Fisher's speech where he pointed out that the stranded assets risk (for fossil fuels) is real, was a major mic-drop. 
​
Per Espen Stoknes is a person which I think will be influential in many years to come. His engagement certainly influences us as CEMAsys when it comes to Green Growth. 
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His explanation of the S curve of innovation mentioned in his TED Talks is worth a listen and makes me believe that history will repeat itself and change will happen faster than ever. 

​One blog everyone interested in Sustainability should read is ESG on a Sunday with Sasja Beslik. He has shown a lot of courage and taken upon his responsibility to share the financial corporate side in a transparent and interesting way. However, the most amazing and bravest voice of them all is Greta Thunberg. I hear her and I want to act, not just talk. ​


"Be transparent and take responsibility beyond what you now consider being your own operational borders."
​

What can companies do to maximize their impact? 
Measures and metrics are an added value when managing and incorporating your ESG strategy and performance. It enables an understanding of your company’s status quo, which sets the stage for transition. Not to mention the importance in this step when the EU taxonomy is active. 

Also, studies show that setting a science-based climate target (SBT) creates successful emission reductions. It was found that from 2015-2019, companies following SBT’s reduced emissions by 25%; while over the same period global emissions from energy and industry increased by 3.4%. Metrics are easily communicated and are also what investors strive to get their hands on when wanting to invest in your green company. 

Overall my main advice would be; be transparent and take responsibility beyond what you now consider being your own operational borders.
1 Comment

WeMe - Dare to be Human - By Linda Krog Ødegaard

24/3/2021

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With human value at the very core, WeMe joined S-HUB in 2021. WeMe was founded by three individuals who share the same passions and have different backgrounds: Jan Strøm, Linda Krog Ødegaard and Rune Kroken. The vision of WeMe is to introduce AI-based technology helping to embrace full human potential and at the same time contribute to building healthy, sustainable and more productive workspaces. We had a pleasure to have a chat with Linda Krog Ødegaard.

​Linda was introduced to Jan Strøm and Rune Kroken in july 2019 by a fellow friend, a true matchmaker, that knew they all shared a passion for the environment and that they all have a strong belief in the power that lies within us. 

Linda, Jan and Rune come from different professional backgrounds yet found a great partnership in each other. Together they established WeMe on the 8th of March 2020.
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Why is sustainability important for WeMe?
We are all parents and being aware that one day, very soon, our children will inherit this planet we realize that nothing is more important. 

What are the greatest sustainability challenges and opportunities for your industry? 
I believe that our greatest challenge lies in ourselves and our behaviour. We need to change the way we live our lives and we need to change the way we run our businesses. 

Moving forward, what are your plans and goals in relation to sustainability? 
Right now, we are creating AI-based technology that will help businesses embrace the human potential in their workforce. This technology will be closing the gap between existing applications that help us manage hard skills, with the challenging task of managing soft skills.

By elevating self management, employees will be on the path to unlocking their full potential, and businesses that choose to embrace the human potential in their workforce can expect to see an increase in productivity and profitability, a healthier workforce and a sustainable business.

What do you wish to learn more about/see of changes in the years to come?
We, as humans, are capable of doing incredible things! Therefore I hope to see all of us taking action. We all have the power and ability to make a positive change for ourselves, for our next generations and for this amazing planet we live on. We can all be changemakers!
We want to learn more about:
  • How to embrace curiosity, kindness and empathy as a resource that fuels innovation and change.
  • What health benefits we will achieve by developing our soft skills and the financial impact this will have on businesses. 
  • The dynamics behind social and cultural shifts and how to influence this shift towards sustainability. 
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Who is your sustainability role model?
Greta Thunberg is an extraordinary example of what impact one person can have. There are many more individuals, and also businesses that truly lead the way. 

One company we have been very inspired by is Vestre. Most importantly, we should all aspire to be a role model!

Any advice for other companies? What can companies do to maximize their impact?
Focus on developing soft skills! We like to say that by focusing on soft skills we are better able to solve real problems. And be more profitable. Dare to be engaged on a personal level - dare to be human.
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