Knut Lakså is a Special Adviser at Future Horizons Institute and a PhD candidate in Social Anthropology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He brings more than 20 years of experience in international development, climate and environmental policy, private sector development, sustainable trade and investment, and programme evaluation, with extensive experience from Latin America, Southern Africa and other regions.

Knut previously served as Head of Programmes at Future Horizons Institute. His earlier roles also include positions with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad, as well as leading KPMG Norway’s Private Sector Development and Climate & Environment team from 2017 to 2022. His work has focused particularly on climate change, sustainable commodity value chains, green and blue economy initiatives, responsible investment, social and environmental safeguards, and the role of the private sector in sustainable development.

Knut is co-author of Future Horizons Institute’s 2026 report Strengthening Sustainable Trade for Food Security: Pathways towards Sustainability in the China–Brazil Soy Trade, which examines the political economy and sustainability of one of the world’s most important agricultural trade relationships, with particular attention to deforestation, climate risk, regulation, finance and supply-chain governance. He was also a co-author of the Institute’s policy brief for the G20 in Brazil on sustainable commodities, climate, nature and people.

From 2026 to 2029, Knut is undertaking a PhD at NTNU focusing on sustainability governance and global commodity value chains, while continuing to contribute to Future Horizons Institute as a Special Adviser. His research builds on his professional experience at the intersection of climate and environmental governance, international trade, private sector adaptation and sustainable land use.

Knut holds an M.A. in Social Anthropology from the University of Oslo and is fluent in Norwegian, English and Portuguese.