Sune Skadegaard Thorsen, Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production (Icons of Change Global Business and Human Rights Fellowship)

The Icons of Change Global Secretariat proudly announces the appointment of Sune Skadegaard Thorsen as Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production under the Icons of Change Global Business and Human Rights Fellowship.

A visionary strategist, legal innovator, and global changemaker, Sune Skadegaard Thorsen has redefined the way corporations understand responsibility toward people and planet. For nearly three decades, he has guided companies, governments, and multilateral institutions in embedding human rights standards and sustainability principles into business operations, ensuring that responsible production and consumption are operational imperatives rather than voluntary commitments.

As Founder and CEO of Global CSR and SEE impacts, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sune has pioneered the ‘Principles-Based Approach’ to Corporate Responsibility, Corporate Social Responsibility, Responsible Business Conduct, and Sustainability. This approach is grounded in internationally recognized norms and offers a practical, system-wide blueprint for businesses seeking to align with ethical governance and sustainable operations. Complementing this, his ‘Operational Approach’ to human rights due diligence equips corporations with actionable frameworks to assess, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse impacts across complex global supply chains.

Sune’s career as an international corporate attorney and advisor to leading organizations positions him at the intersection of law, strategy, and impact. He collaborated closely with Professor John Ruggie in the development of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and has provided expertise to the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights and the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights. His work has transformed ethical business conduct from abstract policy into tangible, accountable systems across industries worldwide.

At the heart of Sune’s mission lies Sustainable Development Goal 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production. Through Global CSR and SEE impacts, he equips companies to produce with integrity, source responsibly, and operate transparently, turning supply chains from risk zones into models of accountability, equity, and positive environmental impact. His influence spans boardrooms, policy forums, and civil society, inspiring systemic change that advances sustainability across every layer of business.

As Ambassador for SDG 12, Sune Skadegaard Thorsen will steer the Icons of Change Fellowship’s initiatives on corporate accountability, supply chain responsibility, and operational sustainability. His strategic leadership will foster collaboration between global businesses, policymakers, and civil society, amplifying the adoption of ethical practices that ensure production and consumption respect both people and the planet.

We celebrate Ambassador Sune Skadegaard Thorsen for his transformative vision, legal expertise, and unwavering commitment to responsible business conduct. His work exemplifies the profound impact of embedding human rights and sustainability into global commerce — proving that when companies act responsibly, societies and ecosystems thrive alongside them.