About us
Circular Norway is the first and only politically independent, member-organization with focus on circular economy, in Norway.
Our goal is to restructure the industry and business community in Norway to a circular economy. We want to create sustainable growth and new jobs through innovation, imparting of knowledge and sustainable policies.
WHAT WE DO
We are working to transform Norway from a linear to a circular economy. This is done through facilitating innovation and business development.
We want it to be easy for the industry and businesses to use the resources they already have available. That's why we are working to increase the knowledge of circular economic, build communities and networks and form innovative business arenas.
OUR STORY
THE TEAM
Leif has long experience in leadership, business development and organizational work. With his great expertise and good results from previous experiences, he is an important actor when observing the concept of knowledge that is found in the Norwegian marked with regards to circular economy.
He has been working several years in the recruitment industry, and is educated as an engineer at Universitetet in Stavanger (UIS) as well as having a diploma in marketing from NMH/BI. Leif has a great interest in circular economy. He has been following Circular Norway from the beginning and watched how the interest around circularity has increased.
With Leif as part of the team, Circular Norway is able to highlight their key role, as an actor that works in the area where sharing information, develop new tools, methods and analyse of circular economy is in focus.
Cathrine is passionate about sustainable solutions for people and businesses, and strategic design for a circular value chain. That is why she started Circular Norway, together with RENAS, Elektroforeningen and Regnskap Norge.
She has extensive experience in journalism as well as consulting in design, innovation and communication. Cathrine is specialized in green growth, service design and innovation management. In addition to this, she has a master degree in public relations- strategic communication and an executive master's degree in green growth as competitive advantage from BI (Norwegian Business School).
With her high expertise in strategic consulting, communication and design combined with sustainable business models and service design, she has the last years started several initiatives for a green business sector.
Alexander has long experience in research, business development and consulting when it comes to climate adaption, security and urban development. He also have a genuine interest in sustainability and resource management.
He holds a master degree in chemistry and material technology from the University of Oslo and a master degree in technology management from NTNU/MIT. Before he started in Circular Norway, Alexander worked in DNV GL. He worked with several project in risk management, risk analysis and climate projects related to businesses and municipalities. Alexander looks at challenges from a system perspective, which is very important when it comes to creating sustainable and circular solutions.
Alexanders background is solid foundation for being a project manager in Circular Norway. He is currently responsible for the Circularity Gap Report Norway.
Sofie has a passion for the climate and believe in the transition to a circular economy. She is inspired by UN's sustainable development goals and believes that circular economy is a driving factor for achieving those goals.
Sofie has an Master degree in International Business and Economic from Ku Leuven, Belgium and a Bachelor degree in European Studies from the University of Essex in UK.
After she finished her studies, Sofie has been working as an election campaign secretary for the politic party, Oslo Venstre. She has also been working as a sales coordinator for Coloplast. Sofies background from politics and economics gives her a solid foundation as a projectmanager in Circular Norway.
Sofie Pindsle
Advisory board
The advisory board provides professional inputs and guidance. The board meets four times a year where they work as advisors for Circular Norway’s progression. The members are part of the advisory board for one year at a time, and have opportunity to be a part of the board for three years.
Thina Saltvedt
Senior analyst Sustainable finance, Nordea
"Circular economics is important for reducing, reusing and recycling raw materials and resources. It is important when it come reducing average consumption; population growth and higher living standards will put greater pressure on world resources in the future. Circular economiy is also important to cut green gas emissions."
What is the most important role Circular Norway can take?
"It is important to have an organization that can create a focal point for companies, organizations, businesses and politicians so its can be easier for them to implement circular value in business strategies and visions. CN also has an important role in knowledge dissemination, contributing to more well-functioning circular markets and to develop a framework for material flow "
Per Espen Stoknes
Author and Senior lecturer, BI
"Circular economy is the practical part of sustainable development . It’s about getting the most out of our resources at all levels of the value chain, keeping resources in the longest possible cycle, thereby reducing the negative impact on the environment and climate”
What is the most important role for Circular Norway?
”The most important role for Circular Norway is to create arenas for where we can share our knowledge, break down barriers and working across different sectors. Through practical approaches they can make it easier for the business and industry community to adjust to a circular economy, at their own phase. Circular Norway is going to influence and assist the development of circular models in political frameworks that promotes circular economy in the best possible way”.
Christine Lundberg Larsen
Managing Director, Regnskap Norge
"Circular economy can solve many climate challenges. The linear economic model has an expiry date. Soon, the soil will run out of raw materials and materials that our consumer society depends on. We need to adjust from a linear community to a community were we use the products and then repair, reuse, modify, or recycle. The goal is to eliminate waste in its entirety.
What is the most important role for Circular Norway?
"Businesses are the key. One of the most important roles Circular Norway can take is to work towards the politicians for better conditions surrounding the frameworks and become a facilitator for the transition to a circular economy across industries".
Walter Qvam
Non-Executive Director/Senior Advisor
"Circular economy is the mindset we need to have to understand the extent of our way of living –thus to act in a holistic and correct way”
What is the most important role for Circular Norway?
”Circular Norway will be an important arena for the development of this mindset in Norway”.
