Greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík
Greenhouse gas emissions within Reykjavík city limits are compiled annually. The compilation follows the terms of the City's participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and the European collaboration on 112 carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
Community greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík decreased between 2022 and 2023. Emissions were 612,000 tons of CO2 equivalent in 2022 and 597,000 in 2023. Transportation produces the most emissions, followed by the construction industry.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change is one of the authorities' biggest challenges. Signs of climate change are visible worldwide and in Iceland, with increasing weather extremes.
Green development
Reykjavík City is ambitious about green development. The City recently decided to sharpen its emission reduction goals and aim for carbon neutrality by 2030 as part of the 112 European cities initiative.
Greenhouse gas emissions in transportation
Most greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík come from transportation, including road traffic, shipping, and aviation. Road traffic is the largest contributor at 263,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. Overall, transportation emissions increased by 1% year-over-year, despite a 2.4% decrease in road traffic emissions. To reduce these emissions, work continues on:
- Supporting eco-friendly transportation methods
- Developing a walkable city
- Strengthening infrastructure for health-promoting transportation and energy transition.
The government's climate action plan states that new registrations of gas and diesel-only private vehicles will be banned from 2030. Energy transition is expected to happen early in Reykjavík, as electric vehicle infrastructure is well developed. Electric vehicles accounted for about 7.6% of kilometers driven in 2023.
A walkable city policy was recently approved, and preparation for a stronger transportation network is underway with the capital area Transportation Charter and public transport system. Reykjavík City and Kópavogur have already agreed to present proposals for the framework section of the municipal plan for the first rotational period of CityLine.
Construction industry is second-largest emitter
The second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík is the construction industry. Data collection on emissions from the construction industry is new, and the methodology for assessing these emissions is expected to evolve over time.
Extensive work on sustainable buildings has been carried out in broad consultation under the umbrella of government and construction industry stakeholder collaborative projects on sustainable construction called "Building a Greener Future." Reykjavík City participates in this project.
Reykjavík is a growing city with ambitious plans to increase homes and residents until 2030. It's important to monitor these emissions and take action to ensure growth has minimal impact on the climate and environment.
Total waste emissions decrease
Waste emissions, historically the second-largest source in Reykjavík, have decreased proportionally. Total waste emissions decreased by 5,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, or 8%, year-over-year. The climate report includes both landfilling and composting.
Landfilling at Álfsnes in 2023 is 37% of the 2018 peak due to GAJA operations, separate waste category collection, and sending mixed waste abroad for incineration. This change is even more pronounced now, with landfilling decreasing by 89% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. However, emissions reduction from the landfill site will not decrease as rapidly because waste buried long ago is still decomposing.
It's important to monitor developments. We compile community emissions trends within city limits and emissions from our operations. We aim for even better real-time oversight of each facility. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and accelerate efforts.
Climate city agreements in Icelandic society
Reykjavík City was selected to participate in a European collaboration with over 100 other cities to become carbon neutral by 2030. Part of this project involves creating an agreement, called a climate city agreement, with various Icelandic entities on how to achieve this goal together.
Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality are part of a broad collaborative project being developed through the climate city agreement.
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.
- Reykjavík climate accounting memo 2023
- Emission factors dashboard (this will download an Excel spreadsheet)