GRID-Arendal x Zoï Environment Network

Spinning back together again

By GRID-Arendal

November 5^th, 2024

On the 22nd of October, GRID-Arendal and the Geneva-based Zoï Environment Network agreed to boost their collaboration in contributing to solutions to the triple planetary crisis. It’s been 15 years since Zoï was created as a spin-off of GRID-Arendal, and the state of the world’s environment calls for joining forces for action. Based on a strong convergence of mission and interests, shared history and complementary competencies, there is a strong joint interest in closer cooperation and integration between Zoï Environment Network and GRID-Arendal.

The focus of the collaboration includes promoting solutions for the world’s mountains and the cryosphere under great pressure of climate change, addressing environment and security issues, including the impact of war on the environment, and addressing the complexities of chemicals, plastic and waste in the world. There are also plans to strengthen the links between Switzerland and Norway, with both countries sharing similar interests in international environmental cooperation.

“Collaborating with Zoï Environment Network feels natural because of our similar aspirations in the workspace to share environmentally sound information to policymakers. We are joining forces to make a bigger impact to preserve the environment, particularly through international projects," explains Laurent Fouinat, Senior Expert in the Polar and Climate Programme at GRID-Arendal.

“We build this cooperation upon our entrepreneurship and drive for innovation, and, if this term is allowed in a serious international context, somewhat being ‘out of the box’” said Otto Simonett, director at Zoï Environment Network.

“Working together allows us to have a bigger impact. We see more collaboration as a strength and what the world needs to see more of in the time to come, in order to solve the triple planetary crisis”, explains Karen Landmark, Managing Director at GRID-Arendal.

"Zoï Environment Network is a strong partner who shares our values, we have been growing from the same roots. Now we can be complimentary in our skills in many spheres. Together we will be stronger and will be able to develop solid projects with greater impact”, states Valentin Yemelin, Head of the Transboundary Governance and Environmental Crime Programme at GRID-Arendal.

GRID-Arendal recently travelled to the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) with accreditation from Zoï Environment Network, so the collaboration has already begun!