Future Advisory Board
Future Advisory Board
In 2023, we established the "Future Advisory Board", asking others to challenge us to think new thoughts and more responsibly. We have now received five solid recommendations to become more sustainable.
"There are fresh voices and a lot of expertise in this group, and the discussions have been tough. The measures are scientifically based, feasible to implement, and intended to complement each other. The effect will be stronger if Reitan Retail takes even further measures," says board leader Birgit Skarstein.
Birgit was mandated to create and lead the "Future Advisory Board" (FAB). The committee consists of eight strong voices from Nordic society. They were asked to find five radical sustainability actions for Reitan Retail.
Promise to carry out
The committee has – for one year – reviewed Reitan Retail's climate impact, visited companies, and had meetings and discussions with external stakeholders and internal resources in the company. They have now concluded and identified five measures they believe the company should implement.
Siv Skard, professor at the Department of Strategy and Management at NHH, was among the committee members. She had doubts about the project at first, especially whether Reitan Retail's motivation behind the project was sincere or not.
"Ole Robert Reitan was quite brave inviting a group of activists, entrepreneurs and researchers who would look him in the cards and propose radical solutions. Throughout the work we have done, I am convinced of the genuine motivation of Ole Robert himself, and I reckon his initiative is exemplary as a leader," she says.
Ole Robert, CEO of Reitan Retail, is impressed by the work FAB has put in. In advance, he promised to implement at least one of the measures.
"First of all, we greatly appreciate the impressive efforts of all the eight members of the Future Advisory Board. Birgit Skarstein has led a strong committee and delivered several powerful and realistic measures. We have already promised to carry out at least one of the measures, but there may be more," Ole Robert says.
The five recommendations
Recommendation 1: Two different concept stores: (1) "REMA 2000", a store where the customer shops "green by default", and (2) "The Invisible Research Lab" – stores designed to help customers make more sustainable choices and assess which measures are most effective.
Recommendation 2: Transfer the ownership – partly or wholly – to a non-profit foundation.
Recommendation 3: Set specific goals to increase plant protein sales and reduce red meat sales.
Recommendation 4: Require all major suppliers to follow science-based targets (SBT).
Recommendation 5: Update Reitan Retail´s core values to reflect the commitment to responsible retail.
Board members
- Marie-Louise B. Lendal. Political scientist and manager of the Frej think tank.
- Jan-Ole Hesselberg. Psychology specialist and decision-making psychology author.
- Ghazi Khder. Co-founder and general manager of Cares.
- Siv E. Rosendahl Skard. Professor NHH, Department for strategy and management.
- Lasse Brurok. Co-founder of Bookis and street artist.
- Noura Berrouba. Public commentator and leader of Landsrådet för Sveriges Ungdomsorganisationer.
- Jo Egil Tobiassen. Political scientist, journalist and founder of Northern Playground.
- Birgit Skarstein. Athlete and social entrepreneur.