Climate Agreement - European Cooperation on Carbon-Neutral and Smart Cities 2030
Description of the action and objectives
Green Deal action
Reykjavík City has been chosen to participate in a European collaboration on carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030. The goal of this project is for the participating cities, numbering 112, to become carbon-neutral and smart by 2030. They will serve as centers of research and innovation to enable all other European cities to achieve the same by 2050. The next year will be characterized by a review of previous goals and the preparation of a Climate City Agreement, which is a prerequisite for participation in the project. The previous goal of carbon neutrality by 2040 will be reviewed and accelerated to 2030, at least emissions defined within BASIC+.
Implementation period
Planned completion in the second half of 2030
Status report on July 1, 2025
The Climate City Contract was submitted for review to the European Commission in January 2025. A meeting was held with participants in the contract on March 18, 2025, to continue developing the actions in the contract. At the same time, work continued on responding to European Commission comments on the Climate City Contract, improving and clarifying actions in the contract, including those related to the City's investment plan and other participants in the contract. The Climate City Contract was finally officially validated with the corresponding label on May 7, 2025. This validation provides increased support and guidance to develop and expand actions that will lead to a carbon-neutral society by 2030. Now 92 cities out of the 112 participating in the European collaboration have had their contracts validated, and Reykjavík is one of them.
Older status reports
| Timeline | Progress description | |
| July 2024 | Preparation for the first Climate City Contract took place during summer 2024. In summer 2024, Reykjavík City was among 25 cities receiving European Union grants for innovative climate change projects. In addition to the Mission City title, Reykjavík now receives the "Pilot City" designation, as these cities are viewed as models for accelerating climate action through various innovations in diverse climate projects. The funding supports the cities' goals to accelerate their journey toward carbon neutrality by 2030. | |
| January 2024 | A working group consisting of Reykjavík City staff from the Department of Environment & Planning, Department of Finance & Risk Management, the Office of Human Rights, and the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer, led by the Department of Environment & Planning, continues to gather data and prepare a climate agreement. In relation to the project, Reykjavík has become a TwinCity with Lahti for the next two years. Additionally, Reykjavík has received grants totaling €800,000 for participation in the AMIGOS and GreenInCities projects, earmarked for the City's involvement in the European collaboration (MISSION CITIES). | |
| July 2023 | At the beginning of 2023, a working group with Reykjavík City staff from USK, FÁST, MAR, and SBB was established to collaborate with the political steering group. The working group's role is to prepare a climate agreement. Extensive data collection for the agreement began in the spring and is ongoing. Besides the working group, the SBB Urban Development Research Team is actively seeking related grants. Two new projects earmarked for MISSION CITIES are currently underway (totaling about €800,000 or about 117 million ISK), in addition to applying for Twin City participation with NetZeroCities. | |
| January 2023 | At the start of 2022, Reykjavík City was honored to be selected to participate in the European collaboration for carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030. In 2022, Reykjavík received customized training, online meetings, and advice from the NetZeroCities association, which manages the project in cooperation with the European Commission's Executive Board and, among others, Climate-KIC, Eurocities, and ICLEI. In August 2022, a steering group was established, composed of the council chairs from all City Council parties. The role of the steering group is to guide policy-making regarding Reykjavík's participation in European cooperation on carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030. The preparation of the first version of Reykjavík's Climate Agreement is underway. Such an agreement must be prepared in extensive cooperation with the European Union, the Icelandic State, other municipalities, private entities, NGOs and with thorough consultation with residents. | |
| July 2022 | Reykjavík City was honored at the beginning of the year to be selected to participate in European cooperation on carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030. In 2022, Reykjavík received customized training, online meetings, and advice from the NetZeroCities association, which manages the project in cooperation with the European Commission's Executive Board and, among others, Climate-KIC, Eurocities, and ICLEI. In August 2022, a steering group was established, composed of the council chairs from all City Council parties. The role of the steering group is to guide policy-making regarding Reykjavík's participation in European cooperation on carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030. The preparation of the first version of Reykjavík's Climate Agreement is underway. Such an agreement must be prepared in extensive cooperation with the European Union, the Icelandic State, other municipalities, private entities, NGOs and with thorough consultation with residents. |
Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:
- City of Reykjavík Climate Policy
- Economic & Innovation Policy 2022–2030
- International Policy of Reykjavík City to 2030
Related actions
Environmental goals
- 1. Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions | Green Deal A carbon-neutral city by 2040 and environmentally sustainable adaptation to climate change.
- 2. Increased carbon sequestration and enhancement of green areas | Green Deal Increased cultivation, utilization, and connection between green spaces.
- 3. The City is adapted to the impacts of climate change | Green Deal Combating climate change and adapting to it.
- 4. Improved access to healthy outdoor recreational options and food | Green Deal Emphasis on public health objectives and increased urban living.
- 5. Sustainable transportation | Green Deal Investment in transport infrastructure based on green and diverse principles.