Skip to content

About NILU

A Norwegian, non-profit and independent climate and environmental research institute, founded in 1969.

We started as an air research institute, with the name Norwegian Institute for Air Research. Since then we have expanded, and today we research almost all aspects of how people, climate and environment affect each other. The goal is a better quality of life for everyone.

Our vision

To support sustainable development through internationally leading climate and environmental research.

Our values

  • Integrity

    Our work depends on independence and credibility. Political and financial interests do not influence our conclusions, and we do not adjust our advice to suit short-term preferences.

  • Expertise

    Our strength is our combined expertise: strong subject disciplines, and the ability to use them together with other disciplines.

  • Public benefit

    NILU is an applied research institute. The research will quickly contribute to solving challenges in society, through publication, consultancy and new services and products.

From air research to climate and environment

NILU must have leading infrastructure, with laboratories, observatories and open data centres.

  1. 1969

    NILU is founded as the Norwegian Institute for Air Research.

  2. The 1970s

    Studies of long-range pollution. The research later leads to an international convention on transboundary air pollutants (CLRTAP).

  3. 2001

    The Norwegian Environment Agency appoints NILU as the national reference laboratory for air.

  4. 2006

    First ISO 9001 certificate for the quality system.

  5. 2010

    First ISO 14001 certificate for the environmental management system.

  6. 2023

    New logo and new visual identity on 30 November.

Organization and documents

NILU is an independent research foundation with no owners receiving dividends. All surplus is reinvested in operating and developing research services that benefit society.

Legal name: Stiftelsen NILU
Organisation no. 941 705 561

Four locations

  • Kjeller

    The main office, a short train ride from Oslo.

  • Tromsø

    In the Framsenteret, with its own laboratory.

  • Trondheim

    Office in Kjøpmannsgata.

  • Gothenburg

    NILU Klimat- och miljöinstitutet AB, with system analysis and life cycle perspective.

Addresses and directions