English translation
Hi! The English site is only a beta for now and still has many errors (especially in names and locations).
We are working hard to fix them and making more content available than ever before so expect constant updates.
Climate change
The goal of the City of Reykjavík is to become carbon neutral by 2040, while making sure the changes needed to address climate change are made in an environmentally friendly and people-centered way. The City of Reykjavik supports the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We will review these Actions every 5 years starting from 2025 in accordance with the Paris Agreement of 2015. And measure their success at least once a year.
Climate Action Plan
City of Reykjavík Climate Action Plan for 2021-2025
Climate statistics
Loftslagsbókhald Reykjavíkurborgar 2022
Greenhouse Gas Emission Statistics
- Greenhouse gas emissions in 2016-2022 (EN). Here is an interactive Excel Spreadsheet with a more detailed breakdown of GHG emissions by category and year.
- Greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík 2022 (EN).
- Sustainability indicators for climate change 2020
Older Statistics
- Greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík 2021 (EN). Memo on emissions and methodological approach.
- Greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavik in 2020 (IS). Emission memorandum and methodology.
- Community-scale greenhouse gas emission in Reykjavik in 2019 (IS)
- Greenhouse gas emissions due to land use in Reykjavik in 2019 (IS)
- Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavik in 2015 (IS)
- Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavik 2013 (IS)
- Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavik 2011 (IS)
- Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavik 2009 (IS)
Green Accounting
Green accounting of fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and waste volumes.
Adaptation to Climate Change
Nearly 300,000 tonnes by 2030
The City of Reykjavík aims for carbon neutrality by 2040. The biggest challenge in achieving carbon neutrality is the need to quickly reduce emissions. The 2021-2025 Action Plan outlines the wide range of projects needed to create a carbon-neutral society.
This plan includes many important and minor actions, developed after extensive consultations. These actions were summarized into 15 main actions aimed to reduce carbon emissions by about 300,000 tonnes by 2030.
Six priorities
The Action Plan has six priorities that the City considers essential for reaching the carbon neutrality goals. These are:
- Walkable city
- Energy exchange
- Health enhancing commutes
- Circular thinking
- Green structures
- Carbon sequestration
In addition to these six priorities, there are other related important and supportive factors. They are:
- Adaptation to climate change
- Awareness and innovation
- Reykjavik City operations
Climate Agreement
The City of Reykjavik has been selected to be part of a European project along with more than 100 other cities to become carbon neutral by 2030. As part of the project, the City of Reykjavik is making a climate agreement with different groups in Icelandic society to figure out how to reach this goal together.
Decade of action
The time to take action on climate change is now, and we don't have a moment to waste in stopping man-made climate change and avoiding the disasters it will cause.
The City of Reykjavík's Climate Policy guides the work for the next five years, with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The Climate Policy supports the Reykjavík City Green Deal for creating a carbon-neutral city and investing in green initiatives for the next 10 years. Now that the Policy has been approved, the next step is assess quantities, costs, and the timing of each action. This includes estimating the amount of CO2 each action will reduce, the cost, and when it will be completed.
The goal of these actions is for the City of Reykjavík to help meet the Paris Agreement's target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Listening to residents and stakeholders
The Climate Policy was developed with input from residents and stakeholders. At the start of the process, people were invited to propose actions and workshops were held.
International commitments
The City of Reykjavík has been a part of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy since 2011. The Covenant of Mayors invited parties to join the Climate Change Adaptation Partnership in 2014, and the City of Reykjavík decided to participate.
Additionally, the City of Reykjavík is involved in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), where information on its carbon usage is made publicly available.
The City of Reykjavík is working with other Nordic capital cities on a joint declaration about climate change.
Climate and individuals
Individuals can also play a role by reviewing their transportation choices and reducing the use of fossil fuels. We can also reduce waste, and recycle, as much as possible.
Climate Recognition
In 2016, Reykjavík joined with Festa, the Center for Corporate Social Responsibility, to make measurable progress on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation.
Prioritizing green economic growth
Over the past few years, the City has made environmental progress by introducing green initiatives and making eco-friendly investments that have improved the residents’ environment and quality of life.
Notably, the Reykjavík Biking Plan and the 2010-2030 Reykjavík Municipal Plan both focus on preserving green spaces, making cities more compact, improving public transportation, finding eco-friendly ways to dispose of waste, and ensuring new construction is environmentally friendly.
Green investments are expected to make up about 24% of the City's total investments over the next 5 years. These investments include making open spaces, improving pedestrian paths, creating priority bus routes, renovating waste containers, and more.
Climate Change Tool Kit
Climate change is one of the biggest issues of our time, but the effects of climate change can affect people differently depending on their social status. Here is a map of the gender and equality perspectives to take into account when working towards becoming a carbon neutral society.
