Climate City Contract
The City of Reykjavík has been selected to be part of a European project along with more than 100 other cities to become carbon neutral by 2030. Part of this project involves creating a Climate City Contract with various stakeholders in Icelandic society to collectively achieve this new goal.
Collaboration
The Reykjavík Climate City Agreement is a partnership between the City and various sectors of society to decide what actions need to be taken to become carbon neutral by 2030. This includes the government of Iceland, other municipalities, schools, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and residents of Reykjavík. Everyone needs to work together to identify the challenges, prioritize them, and work quickly to achieve carbon neutrality.
The contract itself
Reykjavík's first Climate City Contract was signed Oct. 7, 2024. Reykjavík City then received approval for the contract at a formal ceremony during a climate conference in Vilnius, Lithuania on May 7, 2025. The contract includes 15 actions with 18 participants. Contract participants have committed to developing actions that measurably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support Reykjavík City's climate goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. They also committed to participating in annual consultation meetings through at least 2030.
Innovation and research
The idea is for the 112 European cities in the project to become leaders in innovation and research, so that other European cities can follow their example and become carbon neutral by 2050. Iceland signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, which aims to keep global warming below 1.5°C. To achieve this, the world must reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Consultation
The City of Reykjavík is getting expert advice from the international organization NetZeroCities. They are working with the European Commission and other organizations like Climate-KIC, Eurocities, and ICLEI to manage the project.
Transportation is the main issue
In order to meet the goal, the amount of greenhouse gases must be reduced quickly and the carbon that can't be reduced must be stored safely. The biggest source of greenhouse gases in Reykjavík is from cars on the road. So, we need to find ways to reduce the number of car trips.
Participants
Participants |
Action |
Link? |
|
| Better Transport | Transportation Charter of the capital area | ||
| Associated Icelandic Ports | Associated Icelandic Ports carbon neutral 2030 | ||
| Festa | Corporate transportation declaration | ||
| Greener construction | Emission-free work sites Circular thinking in the construction sector |
||
| University of Iceland | Sustainable transportation in Vatnsmýri | ||
| University of Reykjavík | Sustainable transportation in Vatnsmýri | ||
| Housing and Construction Authority (HMS) | Emission-free work sites Circular thinking in the construction sector |
||
| Ministry of Infrastructure | Transportation Charter of the capital area Energy transition for vehicles |
||
| Íslenska Gámafélagið | Improved waste sorting by businesses | ||
| Landspítali — National University Hospital of Iceland | Sustainable transportation in Vatnsmýri | ||
| Visit Reykjavík | Climate contract for tourism | ||
| Orkuveitan | Orkuveita carbon neutral 2030 | ||
| Reykjavík City | Sustainable transportation in Vatnsmýri Improved waste sorting by businesses 15-minute neighborhoods Carbon sequestration Blue-green surface water solutions Flood defenses |
||
| Federation of Icelandic Industries | Emission-free work sites | ||
| Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area | Transportation Charter of the capital area | ||
| Sorpa | Improved waste sorting by businesses | ||
| Strætó public transport | Transportation Charter of the capital area | ||
| Terra | Improved waste sorting by businesses | ||
| Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate | F-gas phase-out Energy transition for vehicles |
||
| Veitur Utilities | Associated Icelandic Ports carbon neutral 2030 Emission-free work sites |
||
| University of Iceland Science Park | Sustainable transportation in Vatnsmýri |
