Erik Solheim

Erik Solheim is a well-known global leader in environment and development as well as an experienced peace negotiator. He served as Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development from 2005-2012. During that period, he initiated the global program for the conservation of rainforests and brought through game-changing national legislation – among them the Biodiversity Act and legislation to protect Oslo city forests. He brought Norwegian development assistance to 1%, the highest in the world. Before joining the government, he was a leader of the Socialist Left Party 1987-97 as well as a member of the Norwegian Parliament 1989-2001. 

He is Honorary President of the China – Norway International Cooperation Center in Yantai, chair of the Kubuqi Desert Forum in Inner Mongolia, and member of the board of the Guiyang Eco Forum, all in China. He is vice chair of the International Finance Forum in Nansha, China. Erik is vicechair of the Peking University Institute of Carbon Neutrality. Erik is a fellow at the International Centre for Sustainability in London, UK which specializes in Indian – European relations. He is on the advisory board of the Global Carbon Council in Doha, Qatar. Erik is honorary professor at Tsinghua University (Beijing), Jiaotong University (Shanghai), Fudan University (Shanghai), Chengdu University, Southeast University (Nanjing) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Guangzhou. He is also an honorary professor at the Kalinga Institute in Bhubuneswar, India and environment adviser to Sri Sri University in Bhubuneswar. He received an honorary professor appointment from Teri University, Delhi.