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 reached 614,000 tons of CO2 equivalent in 2024, up 1.5% from the previous year. This increase stems primarily from waste treatment emissions, with most coming from waste that was landfilled through 2023 and continues to release gases, plus mixed household waste sent for incineration abroad in 2024.
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
Road traffic produces the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík, making up just over 42% of total emissions, or about 261,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. Transportation overall generates about 52% of total emissions—which includes road traffic, shipping and aviation—totaling nearly 320,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. Ongoing efforts to reduce transportation emissions include:
- 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 12% of total kilometers driven in 2024, compared to nearly 8% in 2023 and just 1% in 2019.
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 grow year-over-year
Landfilling and composting, along with waste incineration, are included in the emissions inventory. Waste sent for reuse and recycling is not measured here, since collection companies send it to appropriate processing facilities outside Reykjavík.
Total waste emissions grew 13% in 2024, reaching about 86,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. Most emissions come from waste landfilled through 2023 that still releases gases, plus mixed household waste sent for incineration abroad in 2024. Landfilling has dropped significantly over the past two years, while emissions from incineration abroad have increased dramatically. Emissions from past landfilling aren't declining as quickly as incineration abroad is growing, because waste buried in recent years and decades continues breaking down.
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.