Episode #20: Banks, credibility & the transition economy – with Hilde Nordbø, EVP Group Sustainability, DNB

In this episode

Hilde Nordbø unpacks the unique position full-service banks occupy in the sustainability transition — as capital providers, asset managers, systemic actors, and increasingly, as de-facto standard-setters. This conversation takes you behind the scenes of DNB’s sustainability strategy, including discussions on combating the risk of greenwashing, scope 3 emissions, and what “transition finance” really means in practice.

Learn about: 

• The role of banks in the real economy – Why climate strategy can’t just sit with asset managers or industry — banks are key to shifting capital.
• Inside DNB’s transition plan – How the bank is working toward science-based targets and building internal accountability mechanisms across business units.
• The credibility challenge – What it takes to avoid greenwashing in a high-stakes, high-scrutiny sector.
• Client engagement vs. exclusion – Why DNB prioritises transition dialogues — and how they assess “good enough” progress.
• Regulation and readiness – How DNB is incentivizing greener practices from their investees and customers to not only support sustainable practices, but boost the resilience of their portfolios.

About Hilde Nordbø

Hilde Nordbø is Executive Vice President of Group Sustainability at DNB. She leads the bank’s group-wide sustainability strategy and implementation, including climate targets, regulatory alignment, and sector-specific transition efforts. With a background in finance, ESG, and risk management, Hilde plays a key role in shaping DNB’s contribution to the green transition in the Nordic region and beyond.