A Conversation with Minister Vidar Helgesen of Norway: Climate Change and the National and Corporate Interest
The CSIS Energy and National Security Program is pleased to host Vidar Helgesen, Norwegian minister of climate and the environment, for a discussion on Norway's climate policy, challenges, and opportunities.
A top global producer of natural gas and the leading European producer of petroleum liquids, Norway is a champion of sustainable development and climate action. Norway continues to move forward on climate policy through its ambitious goal of a 40 percent reduction of greenhouse gases by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral. A key element is the engagement by industry and other stakeholders in "the green transition," making use of the new economic opportunities that a low-carbon future entails. Multilateral engagement on climate is also key for Norway, which recognizes the potential security challenges related to climate change.
Vidar Helgesen was state secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2001-2005, under Kjell Magne Bondevik's Second Government. Helgesen was a special adviser at the International Red Cross in Geneva 1998–2001. He was secretary-general of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), in Stockholm from 2006 until he started as minister in 2013. Helgesen was minister of EEA and EU Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chief of Staff at the Office of the Prime Minister from October, 2013 to December, 2015.
Climate Change and the National and Corporate Interest is a high-level speaker series showcasing a variety of country and corporate perspectives on plausible pathways for pursuing a climate change strategy and why those actions are in their national or commercial interest. Through discussions with high-level government officials and corporate executives, this series aims to broaden the range and depth of understanding of how each country has its own interpretation of why climate action is in their national interest and how global corporations are positioning themselves to be competitive in a lower-carbon future.
Please RSVP no later than Monday, June 5th.
This event is made possible by general funding to CSIS and the Energy & National Security Program.
