Beate Sjåfjell

Many of Beate Sjåfjell's papers in English are freely downloadable on SSRN.

An overview of all publications may be found in the in the Norwegian database Cristin.

• Richardson, Benjamin J. & Sjåfjell, Beate (2021). Business and Industry. In rajamani, Lavanya & Peel, Jacqueline (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780198849155. p. 716–732.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2021). Reforming EU Company Law to Secure the Future of European Business. European Company and Financial Law Review. ISSN 1613-2548. 18(2), p. 190–217. doi: 10.1515/ecfr-2021-0009. Show summary

  The world faces a complex convergence of social and ecological crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, human rights violations, rising inequality and societal instability. The United Nations adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for ‘the future of humanity and of our planet’, calling on business to contribute to solving these pressing challenges. Yet business in aggregate is a driver of the current convergence of crises and the discussion of how to promote sustainable business is therefore high up also on the agenda of the European Union (EU). The EU increasingly shows recognition of the need for regulatory initiatives to promote the integration of sustainability into European business, resonating with the EU’s high-level commitment to sustainability. This article is a contribution to the discourse on how to regulate European business so that it contributes to a sustainable future for all, including for European business itself. The article briefly outlines the basis in the EU treaties for reform of EU company law and the risks of continued unsustainability, moving on to the argument for including company law in the legislative toolbox, and outlining ideas for how such a reform could be shaped.

• Sjåfjell, Beate & Veldman, Jeroen (2021). SMART Reflections on Policy Coherence, Legal Developments in the Netherlands and the Case for EU Harmonisation. Erasmus Law Review. ISSN 2210-2671. p. 1111–1115. doi: 10.5553/ELR.000196. Show summary

  The EU-funded project Sustainable Market Actors for Responsible Trade (SMART, 2016-2020), undertook an interdisciplinary and multilevel regulatory analysis of the barriers and possibilities for securing the contribution of private and public market actors to a sustainable future. Jurisdiction- specific contributions were an essential part of this broad regulatory analysis. This afterword reflects on the Dutch contributions included in this Special Issue, emphasising the urgency of securing policy coherence for sustainable business. The afterword highlights how individual initiatives by national legislators such as those of the Netherlands can be inspiring examples, while they also bring with them challenges including questions of scope and of legal certainty for businesses, specifically with regard to cross-border operations and activities. This leaves business with the difficult task of figuring out the various requirements and expectations and may lead to regulatory competition between EU member states. The afterword therefore concludes with a call for EU harmonisation, to give sustainability-oriented business a level playing field and provide legal certainty both for decision-makers in business and for those affected by the conduct of business across global value chains.

• Johnston, Andrew & Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2020). The EU’s Approach to Environmentally Sustainable Business: Can Disclosure Overcome the Failings of Shareholder Primacy? In Peeters, Marjan & Eliantonio, Mariolina (Ed.), Research Handbook on EU Environmental Law . Edward Elgar Publishing. ISSN 9781788970662. p. 396–410. doi: https%3A/doi-org.ezproxy.uio.no/10.4337/9781788970679.00036.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2020). How company law has failed human rights - And what to do about it. Business and Human Rights Journal. ISSN 2057-0198. 5(2), p. 179–199. doi: 10.1017/bhj.2020.9. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2020). Sustainable value creation within planetary boundaries-Reforming corporate purpose and duties of the corporate board. Sustainability. ISSN 2071-1050. 12(15). doi: 10.3390/SU12156245. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2019). The Environmental Integration Principle: A Necessary Step Towards Policy Coherence for Sustainability. In Ippolito, Francesca; Bartolino, Maria Eugenia & Condinanzi, Massimo (Ed.), The EU and the Proliferation of Integration Principles under the Lisbon Treaty. Routledge. ISSN 9780415789257. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Taylor, Mark Beaumont (2019). Clash of Norms: Shareholder Primacy vs. Sustainable Corporate Purpose. International and comparative corporate law journal (ICCLJ). ISSN 1388-7084. 13(3), p. 40–66. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3444050.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Bruner, Christopher M. (2019). Corporations and Sustainability. In Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine & Bruner, Christopher M. (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781108473293. p. 3–12. doi: https%3A/doi.org/10.1017/9781108658386.004. Full text in Research Archive
• Bruner, Christopher M. & Sjåfjell, Beate (2019). Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and the Pursuit of Sustainability. In Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine & Bruner, Christopher M. (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781108473293. p. 713–720. doi: https%3A/doi.org/10.1017/9781108658386.057. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2019). Realising the Potential of the Board for Corporate Sustainability. In Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine & Bruner, Christopher M. (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781108473293. p. 696–710. doi: %20https%3A/doi.org/10.1017/9781108658386.056. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Heidi Rapp; Sjåfjell, Beate & Richardson, Benjamin J. (2019). The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global. Risk Based versus Ethical Investments. Quarterly Journal of Economic Research. ISSN 1861-1559. 88(1), p. 65–78. doi: 10.3790/vjh.88.1.65.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Fannon, Irene Lynch (2018). Corporate Sustainability: Gender as an Agent for Change? Creating Corporate Sustainability. Gender as an Agent for Change. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781316998472. doi: 10.1017/9781316998472.016.
• Fannon, Irene Lynch & Sjåfjell, Beate (2018). Corporations, Sustainability and Women, Creating Corporate Sustainability. Gender as an Agent for Change. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781316998472. p. 1–14. doi: 10.1017/9781316998472.003.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2018). Beyond Climate Risk: Integrating Sustainability into the Duties of the Corporate Board. Deakin Law Review. ISSN 1321-3660. 23, p. 41–62. doi: 10.21153/dlr2018vol23no0art805. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  While the heat records and wildfires of 2018 brought climate change firmly into the spotlight, what we face is a convergence of environmental, social and economic crises. The grand challenge of our time is how to achieve social progress for all without destroying the very basis of our existence, with climate change being one of several such existential threats. Finding out how business can be a part of the shift to sustainability has never been more crucial. This article starts out with presenting the results of a multi-jurisdictional comparative analysis of corporate law seeking to investigate the barriers to and possibilities for sustainable business in the dominant form for doing business: the corporation. The social norm of shareholder primacy is identified as a main barrier. Shareholder primacy has taken over the space that corporate law leaves open for the discretion of the individual corporate board. Increasing warning signs concerning the financial consequences of climate change and of pressure on other planetary boundaries, as well as of social inequality across and within countries, may signal a change in the mainstream perception of the role of the corporation. The financial risks of ignoring the impacts of unsustainability have the potential for bringing sustainability full circle into the core of profit-seeking purpose of the corporation. Nevertheless, boards will need guidance on how to integrate sustainability into their decision-making. The article concludes with a brief presentation of a work-in-progress Sustainable Governance Model, which can be a starting point for businesses wishing to transition towards sustainability. It can also form the basis for a corporate law reform proposal, which is arguably a necessary step to shift business away from the unsustainable ‘business as usual’ and onto a sustainable path.

• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2018). Redefining Agency Theory to Internalize Environmental Product Externalities. In Maitre-Ekern, Eléonore; Dalhammar, Carl & Bugge, Hans Christian (Ed.), Preventing Environmental Damage from Products An Analysis of the Policy and Regulatory Framework in Europe. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781108422444. p. 101–124. doi: https%3A/doi.org/10.1017/9781108500128.005. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate; Nilsen, Heidi Rapp & Richardson, Benjamin R. (2018). Investing in Sustainability or Feeding on Stranded Assets? The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global. Wake Forest Law Review. ISSN 0043-003X. 52(4), p. 949–979.
• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2018). Redefining the corporation for a sustainable new economy. Journal of law and society (Print). ISSN 0263-323X. 45(1), p. 29–45. doi: 10.1111/jols.12077. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2018). Dismantling the Legal Myth of Shareholder Primacy: The Corporation as a Sustainable Market Actor. In Boeger, Nina & Villiers, Charlotte (Ed.), Shaping the Corporate Landscape. Hart Publishing Ltd. ISSN 9781509914326. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2912141.
• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine; Heidi, Rapp Nilsen & Richardson, Benjamin J. (2017). Investing in Sustainability or Feeding on Stranded Assets? The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global. Wake Forest Law Review. ISSN 0043-003X. Show summary

  We know that access to finance is crucial if we are to achieve the fundamental transition necessary to meet the grand challenge of our time: securing a safe and just operating within the planetary boundaries. In the era of global market capitalism and deregulation, Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) offer one of the few public economic institutions capable of injecting ecological and social values into global markets. This paper undertakes a case study of the world’s largest SWF, the Norwegian Government Pension Global. The Norwegian Fund is well-known for its ethical profile. This includes exclusion of companies based on products (tobacco, certain weapons, and most recently also coal), and observation and potential exclusion based on conduct (including severe violations of human rights, severe environmental damage, gross corruption and other particularly severe violations of fundamental ethical norms), as well as the Fund’s public statements when withdrawing from companies based on conduct in the cases when its attempts at influencing the companies have failed. The principal thesis of the article is that a misleading dichotomy between ethics and economics has held the Norwegian Fund back from contributing to sustainability, leaving the majority of the Fund’s investments on an unsustainable path of ‘business as usual’. Although there are positive indications, major changes are necessary to realise the Fund’s potential to invest in sustainability.

• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2017). Regulating for Corporate Sustainability: Why the Public-Private Divide Misses the Point. In Choudhury, Barnali & Petrin, Martin (Ed.), Understanding the Company: Corporate Governance and Theory. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781316536384. p. 117–144. doi: 10.1017/9781316536384.008.
• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2017). Achieving Corporate Sustainability: What is the Role of the Shareholder? In Birkmose, Hanne (Eds.), Shareholders' Duties. Kluwer Law International. ISSN 9789041166708. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2017). When the Solution Becomes the Problem: The Triple Failure of Corporate Governance Codes. In du Plessis, Jean Jacques & Low, C.K. (Ed.), Corporate Governance Codes for the 21st Century: International Perspectives and Critical Analyse. Springer. ISSN 978-3-319-51868-8. p. 23–55. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-51868-8_2.
• Russell, Roseanne & Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2017). Introducing Daughters of Themis: International Network of Female Business Scholars. International and comparative corporate law journal (ICCLJ). ISSN 1388-7084. 12(2), p. 7–12. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2914153. Show summary

  This paper introduces a special issue of the International and Comparative Corporate Law Journal resulting from the inaugural workshop of Daughters of Themis: International Network of Female Business Scholars in June 2015. The network fosters a strong sense of collegiality motivated by the sincere belief that our research and ultimately the broader academic endeavour is so much richer and enjoyable when we work together to help resolve society’s great challenges. At its heart is its annual workshop where a small number of participants can enjoy sustained discussion of their papers in an inclusive and collegiate atmosphere, genuine collaboration across disciplines is fostered, and informal support and mentoring of junior scholars by more senior participants can take place. This special issue contributes to the understanding of the relationship between women and business and how their contribution and representation is valued. Uniting these contributions, drawn from different disciplinary perspectives and with the articles covering a range of issues, is an appreciation that the current business model and culture is problematic for a sustainable future. Indeed the grand challenge of sustainability lies in securing the social foundation for humanity now and in the future, while staying within the planetary boundaries. Business contribution to meeting this grand challenge is vital, and the questions concerning the role of gender in achieving sustainability are many. This special issue engages with some of these questions and should be perceived as the beginning of a larger discourse to which Daughters of Themis wishes to contribute.

• Anker-Sørensen, Linn & Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine (2016). Vår europeiske selskapsrett, 3. utgave. Selskapsrettstidsskriftet. Tidsskriftet for selskaper, markeder, samfunn og miljø. ISSN 2387-337X.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2016). The Courts as Environmental Champions: The Norwegian Hempel Cases. European Company Law. ISSN 1572-4999. 13(5), p. 199–206. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article presents the Hempel cases from the Norwegian courts, where a Danish parent company (Hempel AS) first was ordered to pay the costs for investigating the extent of pollution in ground previously owned by its Norwegian subsidiary, and then to pay the costs for cleaning up the pollution. The article argues that these decisions, although formally based on provisions in the Norwegian Pollution Control Act, de facto are innovative examples of case-law based liability, where society’s interest in environmental protection is prioritised over society’s and shareholders’ interest in protecting shareholders’ limited liability. Enhanced due diligence may be the result.

• Wiesbrock, Anja & Sjåfjell, Beate (2016). Public procurement’s potential for sustainability. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Anja, Wiesbrock (Ed.), Sustainable Public Procurement under EU Law. New Perspectives on the State as Stakeholder. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781107129641. p. 230–242. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781316423288.013.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2016). Sustainable public procurement as a driver for sustainable companies? The interface between company law and public procurement law. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Anja, Wiesbrock (Ed.), Sustainable Public Procurement under EU Law. New Perspectives on the State as Stakeholder. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781107129641. p. 182–205. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781316423288.011.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Wiesbrock, Anja (2016). Why should public procurement be about sustainability? In Sjåfjell, Beate & Anja, Wiesbrock (Ed.), Sustainable Public Procurement under EU Law. New Perspectives on the State as Stakeholder. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781107129641. p. 1–22. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781316423288.003.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Halvorssen, Anita M. (2016). The Legal Status of Oil and Gas Exploitation in the Arctic: The Case of Norway. Oil, Gas and Energy Law (OGEL). ISSN 1875-418X. 2. Show summary

  The rates of warming in the Arctic are double the average increase on the rest of the planet. The Arctic is especially vulnerable and climate change is already affecting this region. The melting of polar ice and land ice due to climate change, especially in Greenland, also exacerbates climate change amounting to a positive feedback loop. Oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic has additional environmental impacts affecting the marine environment and the atmosphere in the form of pollution in the oceans and a haze in the air space in the lower atmosphere affecting Arctic populations. The Arctic also has an indigenous population of 400,000, many of whom depend on the land and marine resources to uphold their subsistence livelihoods. The environmental and social impacts for these indigenous groups should be integrated into any energy development project in the Arctic. According to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), fossil fuel production will not be able to continue as it is now if we are to stay below the two-degree Celsius increase in temperature relative to pre-industrial levels. A fundamental shift from fossil fuels to renewables is necessary, with the majority of known fossil fuel reserves needing to remain in the ground. With this backdrop, the article's main question is whether new and large-scale oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic is lawful under international law and domestic law. The article focuses especially on the case of Norway as one of the Arctic states. Starting on the level of international law, the article argues that oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic on a large scale, although not expressly prohibited, would defeat the object and purpose of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), general legal principles relating to climate change, UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Biodiversity Convention and international human rights agreements and declarations, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It also breaches the spirit of the EU Treaties' goal of sustainable development. On the national level, Norway's constitutional provision on environmental rights was amended in May 2014. With this amended provision the people of Norway on their own behalf and for future generations have a stronger possibility of enforcing their right to a liveable environment. At a minimum, a right to a liveable environment includes safe-guarding critical environmental processes that regulate the stability of the life-support systems on Earth. The planetary boundaries framework defines nine parameters of the earth system to indicate a safe operating space for humanity, including climate. The June 2015 victories in the Dutch Urgenda case and the U.S. Our Children's Trust case are inspiring indications of an emerging international trend of using the courts as the guardians of this aspect of the very basis of our existence.

• Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). Gender Diversity in the Board Room & Its Impacts: Is the Example of Norway a Way Forward? Deakin Law Review. ISSN 1321-3660. 20(1), p. 25–51. doi: 10.21153/dlr2015vol20no1art501.
• Anker-Sørensen, Linn & Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). Vår europeiske selskapsrett, 2. utgave. Selskapsrettstidsskriftet. Tidsskriftet for selskaper, markeder, samfunn og miljø. ISSN 2387-337X.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Richardson, Benjamin J. (2015). The Future for Company Law and Sustainability. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Richardson, Benjamin J. (Ed.), Company Law and Sustainability: Legal Barriers and Opportunities. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 978-1-107-04327-5. p. 312–340. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781107337978.010.
• Sjåfjell, Beate; Johnston, Andrew; Anker-Sørensen, Linn Cecilie; Millon, David & Richardson, Bejamin (2015). Shareholder Primacy: the Main Barrier to Sustainable Companies. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Richardson, Benjamin J. (Ed.), Company Law and Sustainability: Legal Barriers and Opportunities. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 978-1-107-04327-5. p. 79–147. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781107337978.005.
• Richardson, Benjamin J. & Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). Capitalism, the Sustainability Crisis and the Limitations of Current Business Governance. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Richardson, Benjamin J. (Ed.), Company Law and Sustainability: Legal Barriers and Opportunities. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 978-1-107-04327-5. p. 1–34. doi: 10.1017/cbo9781107337978.003.
• Wiesbrock, Anja & Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). The Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainability. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Wiesbrock, Anja (Ed.), The Greening of European Business under EU Law. Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously. Routledge. ISSN 978-1-13-801956-0. doi: 10.4324/9781315767864-10. Show summary

  The relationship between environmentally sustainable development and company and business law has emerged in recent years as a matter of major concern for many scholars, policy-makers, businesses and nongovernmental organisations. This book offers a conceptual analysis of the principles of sustainable development and environmental integration in the EU legal system. It particularly focuses on Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that EU activities must integrate environmental protection requirements and emphasise the promotion of sustainable development. The book gives an overview of the role played by the environmental integration principle in EU law, both at the level of European legislation and at the level of Member State practice. Contributors to the volume identify and analyse the main legal issues related to the importance of Article 11 TFEU in various policy areas of EU law affecting European businesses, such as company law, insurance and state aid. In drawing together these strands the book sets out the requirements of environmental integration and examines its impact on the regulation of business in the EU. The book will be of great use and interest to students and researchers of business law, environment law, and EU law.

• Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). The Legal Significance of Article 11 TFEU for EU Institutions and Member States. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Wiesbrock, Anja (Ed.), The Greening of European Business under EU Law. Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously. Routledge. ISSN 978-1-13-801956-0. doi: 10.4324/9781315767864-4. Show summary

  The relationship between environmentally sustainable development and company and business law has emerged in recent years as a matter of major concern for many scholars, policy-makers, businesses and nongovernmental organisations. This book offers a conceptual analysis of the principles of sustainable development and environmental integration in the EU legal system. It particularly focuses on Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that EU activities must integrate environmental protection requirements and emphasise the promotion of sustainable development. The book gives an overview of the role played by the environmental integration principle in EU law, both at the level of European legislation and at the level of Member State practice. Contributors to the volume identify and analyse the main legal issues related to the importance of Article 11 TFEU in various policy areas of EU law affecting European businesses, such as company law, insurance and state aid. In drawing together these strands the book sets out the requirements of environmental integration and examines its impact on the regulation of business in the EU. The book will be of great use and interest to students and researchers of business law, environment law, and EU law.

• Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). Corporate governance for sustainability. The necessary reform of EU company law. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Wiesbrock, Anja (Ed.), The Greening of European Business under EU Law. Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously. Routledge. ISSN 978-1-13-801956-0. Show summary

  The relationship between environmentally sustainable development and company and business law has emerged in recent years as a matter of major concern for many scholars, policy-makers, businesses and nongovernmental organisations. This book offers a conceptual analysis of the principles of sustainable development and environmental integration in the EU legal system. It particularly focuses on Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that EU activities must integrate environmental protection requirements and emphasise the promotion of sustainable development. The book gives an overview of the role played by the environmental integration principle in EU law, both at the level of European legislation and at the level of Member State practice. Contributors to the volume identify and analyse the main legal issues related to the importance of Article 11 TFEU in various policy areas of EU law affecting European businesses, such as company law, insurance and state aid. In drawing together these strands the book sets out the requirements of environmental integration and examines its impact on the regulation of business in the EU. The book will be of great use and interest to students and researchers of business law, environment law, and EU law.

• Wiesbrock, Anja & Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). The importance of Article 11 TFEU for regulating business in the EU: Securing the very basis of our existence. In Sjåfjell, Beate & Wiesbrock, Anja (Ed.), The Greening of European Business under EU Law. Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously. Routledge. ISSN 978-1-13-801956-0. doi: 10.4324/9781315767864-1. Show summary

  The relationship between environmentally sustainable development and company and business law has emerged in recent years as a matter of major concern for many scholars, policy-makers, businesses and nongovernmental organisations. This book offers a conceptual analysis of the principles of sustainable development and environmental integration in the EU legal system. It particularly focuses on Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that EU activities must integrate environmental protection requirements and emphasise the promotion of sustainable development. The book gives an overview of the role played by the environmental integration principle in EU law, both at the level of European legislation and at the level of Member State practice. Contributors to the volume identify and analyse the main legal issues related to the importance of Article 11 TFEU in various policy areas of EU law affecting European businesses, such as company law, insurance and state aid. In drawing together these strands the book sets out the requirements of environmental integration and examines its impact on the regulation of business in the EU. The book will be of great use and interest to students and researchers of business law, environment law, and EU law.

• Anker-Sørensen, Linn Cecilie & Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Vår europeiske selskapsrett. Selskapsrettstidsskriftet. Tidsskriftet for selskaper, markeder, samfunn og miljø. ISSN 2387-337X.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Sustainable Companies: Possibilities and Barriers in Norwegian Company Law. International and comparative corporate law journal (ICCLJ). ISSN 1388-7084. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2311433. Show summary

  Climate change is a case in point for the necessity of working towards a sustainable development; towards achieving economic development and social justice within the non-negotiable limits of our planet, as is the biodiversity crisis. Norway, home of Gro Harlem Brundtland, chair of the UN-appointed Commission that through its report “Our Common Future” put sustainable development on the global agenda, prides itself on being an environmentally-friendly nation. Although Norway does have a good international repute, its oil-based economy makes the challenge of achieving a smooth transition to a sustainable economy (in the environmental and social sense as well as the economic) no less for Norway than for other countries. In such a transition, business will inevitably need to play an important role. The vast impact that the operations of companies today, on an aggregated level, have on the global economy, on society in general and on the biosphere and the atmosphere, means that a critical analysis of the purpose of companies and the regulatory framework within which they operate is crucial to a deeper understanding of the correlation between society and sustainable development. The company is the most important private legal vehicle to gather capital, generate profits and redistribute income in the world. Companies are also the main contributors to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through their choices concerning research and development, their use of resources, their production and transportation, and their – and the end users' – use and recycling or discharge of products. In other words, companies are a major contributor to the problem. They can also become a key factor in finding the solution. The discussion of how to resolve this should rise above and go beyond the corporate social responsibility (CSR) debate. As a part of the work in the Oslo-based research project Sustainable Companies, this paper therefore maps the possibilities and barriers in the Norwegian legal framework for companies for promoting sustainable companies in the environmental sense. The aim of the project is to find out how to better integrate environmental concerns into the decision-making in companies. The core focus of the papers, as of the project itself, is the hither-to to a great extent ignored area of company law. This first section of the paper goes on to set out the backdrop: the Norwegian corporate scene and the legal sources and their inherent methodological challenges, for the guidance of the international reader. Section 2 analyses core company law issues relevant to the integration of environmental concerns in companies, including the purpose of the company and the company interest, and the competences of the various company organs. Section 3 analyses the important supportive area of reporting, accounting and auditing, which is the current compromise solution for those wishing companies to act more responsibly. Section 4 discusses liability and enforcement related to these rules and other means of promoting environmental sustainability in companies, while Section 5 briefly assesses other potential incentives and disincentives. Section 6 and 7 assesses the potential barriers and possibilities in the Norwegian regulation of groups of companies, while Section 8 concludes.

• Sjåfjell, Beate & Mähönen, Jukka (2014). Upgrading the Nordic Corporate Governance Model for Sustainable Companies. European Company Law. ISSN 1572-4999. 11(2), p. 58–62. Show summary

  Business as usual is no longer an option. How can the competitive advantage be given to countries and their companies that wish to pursue sustainable profit? This article presents the core of a legal reform proposal in a Nordic context, introducing planetary boundaries as a company law concept, with a redefined purpose for companies and a corresponding reform of the duties of the board.

• Sjåfjell, Beate & Anker-Sørensen, Linn Cecilie (2013). Directors’ Duties and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In Birkmose, Hanne; Neville, Mette & Engsig Sørensen, Karsten (Ed.), Boards of directors in European companies – reshaping and harmonising their organisation and duties. Kluwer Law International. ISSN 9789041141415.

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• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine & Bruner, Christopher M. (2019). The Cambridge Handbook of Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108473293. 737 p.
• Sjåfjell, Beate Kristine & Fannon, Irene Lynch (2018). Creating Corporate Sustainability. Gender as an Agent for Change. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781316998472. 338 p.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Anja, Wiesbrock (2016). Sustainable Public Procurement under EU Law. New Perspectives on the State as Stakeholder. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107129641. 268 p.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Stubhaug, Arild (2015). Fra ord til handling - Om Grunnlovens miljøparagraf 112. Institutt for privatrett. ISBN 9788272362491. 147 p.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Richardson, Benjamin J. (2015). Company Law and Sustainability: Legal Barriers and Opportunities. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-04327-5. 350 p.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Wiesbrock, Anja (2015). The Greening of European Business under EU Law. Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-13-801956-0. 212 p. Show summary

  The relationship between environmentally sustainable development and company and business law has emerged in recent years as a matter of major concern for many scholars, policy-makers, businesses and nongovernmental organisations. This book offers a conceptual analysis of the principles of sustainable development and environmental integration in the EU legal system. It particularly focuses on Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that EU activities must integrate environmental protection requirements and emphasise the promotion of sustainable development. The book gives an overview of the role played by the environmental integration principle in EU law, both at the level of European legislation and at the level of Member State practice. Contributors to the volume identify and analyse the main legal issues related to the importance of Article 11 TFEU in various policy areas of EU law affecting European businesses, such as company law, insurance and state aid. In drawing together these strands the book sets out the requirements of environmental integration and examines its impact on the regulation of business in the EU. The book will be of great use and interest to students and researchers of business law, environment law, and EU law.

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• Sjåfjell, Beate & Nilsen, Heidi Rapp (2019). Pretty villages aside, Norway has not stopped drilling for oil - and it may never lose its fossil fuel addiction. Independent - nettavis.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). The Role of Business Law in the Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainability. Building Sustainable Legacies: The New Frontier of Societal Value Co-Creation. ISSN 2053-8898. p. 42–56.
• Fisher, Aled Dilwyn & Sjåfjell, Beate (2015). Hvor langt rekker lovens lange arm? Juss og politikk i klimakampen. In Ytterstad, Andreas (Eds.), Broen til framtiden. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 978-82-05-48777-2.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Gender Diversity in the Board Room & Its Impacts Is the Example of Norway a Way Forward?
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Bærekraftige selskaper. Nytt i privatretten : nyhetsbrev for informasjon på det privatret. ISSN 1501-9594. 16(3), p. 23–24.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Grunnlovens klima- og miljøkrav. UiO web.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Staten som majoritetsaksjonær i et globalt Statoil - juridiske utfordringer og muligheter.
• Sjåfjell, Beate; Haugan, Peter M. & Fisher, Aled Dilwyn (2014). UiO-ledelsens troverdighet er svekket. Morgenbladet. ISSN 0805-3847.
• Foss, Håkon Frede & Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Refser retten for «ansvarspulverisering». [Newspaper]. Dagens Næringsliv.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Elefantene i aksjerommet. Dagens næringsliv. ISSN 0803-9372.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Sustainable Companies: A Contribution to the Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainability.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Hvordan kan selskapsretten bidra til bærekraftig utvikling? Et tentativt forslag til en ny rettslig infrastruktur for bærekraftige selskaper.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Gi de gode selskapene konkurransefordelen: En ny rettslig infrastruktur for bærekraftige selskaper.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Statlig aksjonærs virkemiddel for bærekraftige selskaper.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Liker det ikke, men lar Statoil holde på. [Internet]. NRK Rogaland.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Vil selge seg ned i ti selskaper. [Newspaper]. Bergensavisen.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). «Uinteressant» å diskutere oljesponset forskning. [Newspaper]. Morgenbladet.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Hvilke krav stiller Grl. § 110b til statens miljø- og klimapolitikk?
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Åpner for flere klimasøksmål. [Newspaper]. Vårt Land.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Gi de gode selskapene konkurransefordelen: Rettslig infrastruktur for bærekraftige selskaper.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Deltakelse i plenumsdebatten: Hva kan vi gjøre i Norge for å fremme grønn vekst og klimarobuste samfunn?
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Symptomet Transocean. Dagens næringsliv. ISSN 0803-9372.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2014). Refser retten for «ansvarspulverisering». [Newspaper]. Dagens Næringsliv.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Til kamp mot eierskapsmyten. [Business/trade/industry journal]. Advokatbladet.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Om forutinntatthet i eierskapsmytedebatten. Advokatbladet. ISSN 0801-3020.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Dette handler eierskapsmytedebatten om. Finansavisen. ISSN 0803-9518.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Hva handler eierskapsmytedebatten om? Finansavisen. ISSN 0803-9518.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Eierskapsmyten.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Myter, jus og politikk. Finansavisen. ISSN 0803-9518.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Hvem eier Trygve Hegnar. Finansavisen. ISSN 0803-9518.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Myten om aksjonæren som eier av selskapet. Finansavisen. ISSN 0803-9518.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Eierskapsmyten II. Dagens næringsliv. ISSN 0803-9372.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Eierskapsmyten. Dagens næringsliv. ISSN 0803-9372.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Brist i skattelogikk. Dagens næringsliv. ISSN 0803-9372.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Greening European companies and financial markets. Article 11 TFEU as the key to unlock the EU’s sustainability potential.
• Kalstad, Lise Marit & Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Professor gir SV-statsråd etikkrefs. [Newspaper]. Vårt Land.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). More than Meets the Eye: The Potential Contribution of Law and Economics in Company and Financial Market Law.
• Sjåfjell, Beate & Myklebust, Trude (2013). Norwegian Company and Financial Market Law: Status and Remaining Challenges.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Common Nordic Principles or Nordic Regulatory Competition?
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). EU Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility: Bridging the Dichotomy or Greenwashing the EU?
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). The overarching objectives of EU treaty law and the objectives of EU company and financial market law. Why harmonise? And how? Status and challenges.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Sustainable Companies: Company Law’s Contribution to Preserving Europe’s Wealth in the 21st Century.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Grunnlovens klima- og miljøkrav.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Gi konkurransefordelene til de gode bedriftene.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Full krangel mellom Røkke og staten. [Newspaper]. Aftenbladet.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Ønsker ny klimalov. [Business/trade/industry journal]. Miljømagasinet Putsj.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). - Å endre styrers ansvar kan løse klimakrisen. [Internet]. jus.uio.no/ifp.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Mener Røkke-transaksjon er ulovlig. [Newspaper]. Dagens Næringsliv.
• Sjåfjell, Beate (2013). Comparative analysis of barriers and possibilities for Sustainable companies in core company law.
• Sjåfjell, Beate; Nilsen, Heidi Rapp & Mähönen, Jukka (2021). 'Bidrag til Amnestys argumentsamling om oljefondet og forhåndsfiltrering', i rapporten fra Amnesty: "Oljefondets nye etiske rammeverk - rigget for framtiden?". Amnesty International.
• Nilsen, Heidi Rapp & Sjåfjell, Beate (2018). Svar på Høring – NOU 2018: 12 Energiaksjer i Statens pensjonsfond utland. Finansdepartementet.

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