We Norwegians’ Post

Working Toward the UN's 2030 SDGs: Together for a Sustainable Future

Finland – gold medalist – 86,35!! Finland is the world’s leading country in sustainable development according to United Nation’s ranking. Countries are ranked by their overall scores. The overall score measures the total progress towards achieving all 17 SDGs. The score can be interpreted as a percentage of SDG achievement. Finland’s score is 86,35 out of 100. Best in the world! Many international business delegations visiting Finland have been amazed at how sustainable development is a normal part of our everyday life. What are then these everyday actions? Well, some examples. 💚 Recycling bottles and cans. We have a deposit system for bottles and cans and the recycling rate is over 90 %. 💚  Instead of buying always new clothes, buy next time second-hand. In Finland we have plenty of options for that. World’s first second-hand store at the airport – locates, of course, at Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finland. They are offering high quality second-hand clothing and accessories. Please visit #Relove 💚 Recycling clothes. I was just recycling several pairs of old jeans to #Finlayson store. Finlayson gives my old jeans a new life in Old Jeans towels. Manufacturing a hand towel or a bath towel from old jeans saves huge amount of water. In 2019, Finlayson's Jeans towels saved over 21 million liters of water – that makes more than eight Olympic swimming pools. Amazing. Welcome to experience our Finnish way of life. I will definitely spend my summer holiday in Finland. Starting tomorrow! Relaxing Summer Holidays to everybody ☀ !

Take a read of this great article in the Sustainable Journeys Journal and discover Finnish sauna culture.

The top 10 traveling taboos you should break right now

Did you know this month we are celebrating World Bicycle Day, World Environment Day and Sustainable Gastronomy Day?    However, if you ask me, all three of those things are celebrated everyday in Copenhagen! It is a way of life and the infrastructure within the city and its surroundings makes it so easy not just for locals but for visitors to experience how Copenhagen excels in these areas and there is consistent investment and action towards making it even better.     From 546 km of bicycle paths with car free bicycle bridges to wide bicycle lanes. Getting around by bicycle is a fantastic way to explore the city not to mention it is healthy and fun! If you are planning an event in the city and or having to transfer a group from one place to another, why not use the locals favorite mode of transport so they can experience the heartbeat and vibe of the city.   When it comes to sustainable gastronomy, did you know that Denmark has the highest consumption of organic food in the world per capita? From focusing on initiatives like growing their own ingredients, reusing resources and rethinking energy consumption, new nordic cuisine is all about combining sustainability and gastronomy and taking it to another level.  and Your groups can experience this across a variety of restaurants in the city from green Michelin starred restaurants to dining on a rooftop farm!   What stands out about Copenhagen is not just the sustainability statistics and initiatives that are ever-growing but that when you bring events and groups to the city, your attendees can actually experience the fruits of this city’s labor from staying in eco-certified hotels, to getting to know and experience sustainable gastronomy to indulging in all manner of activities like green kayaking on the stunning waters to skiing down the roof of a waste to energy plant!    From an eventprof who has spent a significant amount of time in the city, many of these things can be experienced in any season which make this destination so fantastic all year round for events and groups! In partnership with Copenhagen Convention Bureau. #worldbicycleday #sustainability #mobility #accessibility #copenhagen #eventdestination #eventprofs

Are you motivated by carrots or sticks? The New York Times just highlighted Copenhagen’s new reward-based system for climate action [https://lnkd.in/e_uKPvMp] and it's a fascinating read. Rather than visiting fees (Venice), alcohol restrictions (Majorca), and vacation rental bans (Barcelona), Copenhagen’s goal is to make “climate-friendly action a currency for cultural experiences.” What does that look like? Biking to the city’s ski slope built on its new waste-management center (golly, we don’t deserve Copenhagen) gets you free ski time. A 30-minute beach cleaning session gets you a free lunch at a local surf school. Plus something called “plogging”? that gets you free pastries. At The Cool Down we’ve seen similar momentum toward 🥕 rewards, not sticks — especially when it comes to stories guiding users toward circular services like recycling old tech and clothing. What does that look like? 🗑 This week we highlighted the fast-growing startup Trashie — which rewards you with movie and food delivery credits (and more) for sending in your old clothes. CEO Kristy Caylor believes we can tackle the huge problem of textile waste "in a positive, uplifting … way where it doesn't feel hard or difficult or depressing." Full article here: https://lnkd.in/etJXUkXv 💾 Not to mention, there’s the king of the three-ring binder, Staples, and its new initiative to recycle nearly everything — while paying customers for it. You can now get discounts or points by dropping off batteries, printer cartridges, SodaStream canisters, even entire computers and fax machines 😶 Staples Senior Vice President of Merchandising Brian Coupland told us: “We can pinpoint when [customers] start recycling and frankly become more loyal to the brand. … It is very fulfilling for what we're trying to accomplish for the environment and certainly from the health of the business." Full article here: https://lnkd.in/eVUHxKV7 ➡ From a business perspective, making it easy and rewarding for customers to participate in initiatives can build new revenue streams and brand loyalty. ➡ From a personal perspective, let's all go to Copenhagen. #climatesolutions #travel #sustainability #marketing

Ever thought of stripping down and sweating it out with strangers? Well, I recently did, and it was one of the most authentic and revitalizing experiences of my life! 🧖♂️ In Finland, saunas aren't just typical; they're a core part of life with more saunas than cars! During a stroll through the vibrant streets of Helsinki, I decided to push my boundaries and dive into this age-old tradition. The idea of sitting in a hot, dimly lit room with strangers—naked—was way outside my comfort zone. But, as a travel writer, embracing the new meant giving it a try. With a towel in hand and a bit of courage, I ventured into the traditional Finnish sauna experience. 🔥 Inside, the sauna was cozy, with sizzling hot rocks generating waves of steam that washed over all of us. Initially self-conscious, the enveloping heat soon melted away my anxiety, bringing profound relaxation and clarity. Post-sauna, a plunge into icy water topped off the rejuvenating ritual, shocking my system but leaving me amazingly refreshed. Stepping out of the sauna, I felt a unique blend of calmness and pride. I had not only experienced a piece of Finnish heritage but also expanded my comfort zone. Are you ready to give it a try and explore Finnish culture at a deeper level? Thinking of other unique cultural experiences you've had? Would love to hear your stories! #TravelAdventures #FinnishSauna #CulturalExperience #PushYourBoundaries 🌍🧳🛖 --- If you're ever in Finland, don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience! 🌟

A good strategy allows a brand to evolve. How? By implementing conditions. It's how evolution itself works. Animals can adapt in any number of ways, providing that these adaptations make them a better fit for their environment and ecological niche. That's the condition life must meet to remain successful over time. In the same way, a strategy is simply a set of conditions that a brand must meet to remain successful over time. So long as a brand adheres to these conditions it can fulfil them in any number of ways, and therein lies the flexibility that enables the evolution of a brand. _________________________________ I support Japan's tourism industry with branding, strategy, and experience design to develop unique tourism products and impactful destination marketing Engage tourists in Japan with ease @ Point North 🌏 #strategy #brandstrategy #branding

🌴 Planning your first trip to Jamaica? You're in for a breathtaking adventure! 🌞🌊 During my own initial visit to this vibrant island, selecting the right place to explore made all the difference. I found the Northern coast's peaceful beaches perfect for relaxation, and the bustling energy of Kingston introduced me to the diverse tapestry of Jamaican culture and cuisine. Whether it's exploring the serene Blue Mountains or indulging in world-renowned jerk chicken, Jamaica truly offers a slice of paradise for every traveler. Here are some essential tips to ensure your Jamaican vacation is spectacular: 1. **Choose Your Ideal Spot**: Whether you prefer tranquil shorelines or the vibrant city life, each area offers a unique experience. 2. **Pack Smart**: Light clothing and sturdy footwear are musts, and don’t forget the sunscreen! 3. **Savor the Flavors**: Dive into the explosive flavors of the island, from ackee and saltfish to a cool sip of Ting. 4. **Cultural Respect**: Embrace and respect the island’s heritage and customs for a truly enriching experience. 5. **Safety First**: Keep mindful of your belongings and environment to enjoy safely. 6. **Beyond the Beach**: Don’t miss out on exploring Jamaica’s lush landscapes and historical sites to fully appreciate its beauty and spirit. Have you recently visited Jamaica? What was your highlight? Or, if you're planning a trip, which of these tips will you prioritize? Gearing up for your own getaway? You might want to bookmark this for later! 📌👇 #TravelJamaica #CaribbeanGetaway #JamaicanAdventure #CulturalTravel #TravelTips #Wanderlust

Today is the last day of our #StudyTour for the #GlobalGoals! A question that often comes up is this: “Where in the whole world do Swedes emit #CO2??” Because…almost all transportation, hotels, food and facilities we use or visit are either eco-labeled or/and powered by #renewable energy… This time we took 13 participants from #Japan companies to #Stockholm and #Malmö. Places we visited and had fruitful discussions with, included fashion stores, Global Goals designer office, a climate-label company, brand-strategy company, a supermarket, Europe's first carbon-neutral town AND a wonderful homevisit to a Swedish apartment. Ah - and of course lots of eco #FIKA! - - - A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO: #Klimato #TheNewDivision #Dressman #SustainableMeetStockholm #BVD #SevenEleven #HolyGreens #ICAMaxi #Scandic #SJ #VästraHamnen #BRUNS ——— JAPANESE 🇸🇪🇯🇵SDGs視察ツアー！ 今日は最終日。 ストックホルム(あだ名→北欧の首都)と北ヨーロッパの最も注目されているエリアの一つマルメ・ルンド・コペンハーゲン(あだ名→ザ・ブリッジ)の訪問。 国連の「SDGsデザイナー」オフィス、気候変動エコラベル会社、イケア・H&M・エレクトロラックスのブランド戦略会社、ヨーロッパ初のカーボンニュートラル町などの訪問や見学+ディスカッション！！ ※スウェーデンに到着してから、CO2排出量はどこ？？再生可能エネルギーで賄う移動、ホテル、施設ばかり！