Norwegian company DNV supports national push toward green future

A villager in Northeast China shows visitors that he now has clean and safe drink water thanks to DNV's water and sanitation projects. Photos Provided to China Daily

This will surge to 20 percent by 2015, creating a market valued at $19 billion.

By 2020, China's market value will reach an estimated $40 billion, accounting for 35 percent of the global total, industry analysts said.

"We see that the market for new building offshore is buoyant, and there's a clear trend that more new offshore projects are being ordered in China," Beiler said. Chinese yards are also keen on strengthening their position in the market.

Beiler said DNV's expertise and experience can make their manufacturing procedures and products safer, greener, more competitive and environmentally friendly.

"China is gaining momentum in its offshore engineering development and creating a proven track record, in particular for the successful delivery of milestone offshore units," Beiler said.

It is attracting more and more recognition from global owners, he said.

"We have an ambition to support China to take the next step to win and build more complicated offshore projects," Beiler said.

As a world leading offshore classification society involved in offshore oil exploration in North Sea since the 1970s, DNV believes its experience and standards could help Chinese companies comply with environmental regulations while ensuring the safe and sustainable development of the whole industry.

To impart the knowledge and expertise the company has accrued over the years, DNV has established a complete training academy network in China, with academies set up in such cities as Dalian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Taipei.

According to the company, a total of 500 courses in the related sectors have been offered in the training programs, which were attended by more than 11,000 industry people over the years.

The company is planning to further expand the scope, according to DNV.

Clean energy

Another area that is promising in China is the energy sector, Beiler said.

This is not only because of the country's surging demand, but also because the public is clamoring for cleaner energy and a better environment, he said.

"The Chinese people's living standards have improved dramatically over the past few decades.

"Just like what happened in Western countries, at a certain level, they will start to worry about the environment," Beiler said.

The pressure the country faces with regard to environmental protection is indeed mounting.

Since the end of 2012, smog levels have been off the charts in major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Tianjin.

Scientists say the pollution could seriously harm people's health and cause many other problems.

DNV's technical competence and consulting experience can help the nation to develop a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable energy supply, Beiler said.

The company's energy arm, DNV KEMA, is no stranger to the Chinese market.

In recent years, it has been involved in China's green development through highly specialized services, such as the certification and verification of wind turbines and components, testing for electricity transmission and distribution products, and integration of renewable energy into power grids.

Another way DNV participates in China's clean energy development is by setting up standards for industrial operations and performance.

Its recommended practice for shale gas, released in April, is a case in point.

In the industry guideline, DNV recommended risk-management practices for oil and gas companies for the entire life cycle of shale gas extraction, covering issues such as health, safety and environmental protection.

"We believe the recommended practice as such, will contribute to the regulations and framework set up for the sustainable development of China's shale gas industry," Beiler added.

Higher purpose

As a knowledge-based company, DNV insists on an overall balance between business and social responsibilities, instead of a single-minded focus on revenue.

Historically set up as an independent foundation with the purpose of safeguarding life, property, and the environment, there is an innate company culture in DNV that drives it to achieve more than just business growth, Beiler explained.

"We want to change the way people do things and make a global impact for a safe and sustainable future.

"That is our vision and aim," he said.

The company's mission has been reflected in the social responsibility projects it undertook in China over the years.

Working together with the Norwegian and Chinese Red Cross, it has been supporting water and sanitation projects in the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture in Jilin province since 2005.

By the end of 2012, the Norwegian Red Cross and DNV had funded 14 water and sanitation projects with a total investment of more than 10 million yuan ($1,560,000), local government statistics showed.

A total of nearly 5,700 people in 14 villages benefited from the projects. More importantly, training and education programs in the projects have helped the villagers improve their awareness of health and hygiene knowledge, local government said.

"It was a touching moment for me to see the local people celebrate the arrival of safe drink water and the completion of the sanitation facility for each family," Beiler recalled at one of the events.

"It is the experience that strengthened our determination for further development in China: not just for business but to participate in the country's overall development."