The UN Global Compact's Business Action Plan for the Ocean was launched at Cermaq's Oslo HQ today. Photo: Cermaq

UN Action Plan for Oceans launched at Cermaq HQ

Global salmon farmer Cermaq today hosted the launch of the United Nations' Business Action Platform for the Ocean at its head office in Olso.

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The Platform is one of several partnerships initiatives managed by UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, which aims to mobilise a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create a better world. The UN Global Compact currently involves more than 9,500 companies spread over 160 countries.

The Platform focuses on the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water, and will engage UN partners, private sector partners, government partners, academia, and NGOs. Cermaq is a partner of the Platform, along with Norway's government.

Relevant business are being urged to join the Platform to:

  • Develop a framework for leadership for the global goals and the ocean.
  • Inspire partnership and local action.
  • Engage in advocacy and public policy.
  • Map and gather new data.

The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are integrated in Cermaq’s strategy, and it is focusing on five goals where it can have the most impact: Zero hunger; Decent work and economic growth; Responsible consumption and production; Climate action; and Life Below Water, a key priority for Cermaq.

'Partnership is crucial'

In a press release, the company said: "To find solutions to the SDGs and make progress on ocean sustainability, partnership is crucial. Sustainability is deeply rooted in our culture, and Cermaq’s approach through many years has been to engage in collaboration to address material sustainability issues in our industry and value chain."

"On behalf of Cermaq, I am honoured to host this announcement of the Business Action Platform for Oceans," said Thomas Palm, Cermaq’s chief financial officer at the event.

"We are very proud to be the first business partner for this initiative – ocean challenges must be solved through multi-stakeholder dialogue, between governments, business, research institutions and civil society. And we believe the UN Global Compact will be an excellent arena for this dialogue."

The formal launch will take place in New York on World Ocean Day on June 8, when the full participation in the initiative has been determined.

Cermaq farms both salmon and trout, with operations in Norway, Chile and Canada.It is a fully owned subsidiary of Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation.