Reykjavík's Climate City Contract approved
Reykjavík City received approval for its first Climate City Contract at a formal ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania this morning. The City is attending a climate conference there alongside representatives from 112 climate cities participating in European cooperation to become carbon neutral and smart by 2030.
Climate change issues a massive collaborative effort
"Reykjavík has now received approval for its Climate City Contract and I accepted the so-called mission label here today," says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, city councilor and chair of Reykjavík City's Environment & Planning Council, who formally received the recognition in Vilnius.
"This is a great honor and recognition of our ambitious plan. It also means access to even stronger support from NetZeroCities and opportunities for broader collaboration. We look forward to continuing this work with participants and everyone who's interested, because climate change issues really are a massive collaborative effort and there's no other way. This makes all the difference for the welfare of everyone and future generations," she says.
This makes all the difference for the welfare of everyone and future generations
A total of 39 additional cities received this official recognition today, acknowledging the cities' ambitious goals and potentially opening paths to funding that supports carbon neutrality objectives. In total, 92 of these 112 climate cities have received approval for their contracts. All 112 cities must create a Climate City Contract with participants who want to join the project.
15 actions with 18 participants
Reykjavík's first Climate City Contract was signed Oct. 7, 2024. 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. A recent workshop with participants was a part of this collaboration, and the Climate City Contract is meant to be a living document that's reviewed regularly.
Contract participants are a diverse group including publicly traded companies, civil society organizations and public authorities at both the national and municipal levels. Those signing the contract alongside Reykjavík City are the Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Climate, Ministry of Infrastructure, Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area, Landspítali Hospital, Reykjavík University, University of Iceland, Icelandic Waste Association, Sorpa, Terra, Reykjavík Energy, Associated Icelandic Ports, Veitur Utilities, Festa, Strætó Public Transport, Housing and Construction Authority, Græn byggð, the Confederation of Icelandic Industries and Visit Reykjavík.
Access to funding and additional consultation
The Climate City Contract represents the cities' overall vision for their path to carbon neutrality and includes both an investment plan and action plan. The development process has been extensive and done in close collaboration with counselors from NetZeroCities. An important part of the contracts, which will be renewed regularly, is getting public companies and institutions on board along with private companies while engaging the public.
Recognition of Reykjavík City's Climate City Contract gives the City access to a new international financial platform for climate cities that creates connections to private sector funding. Climate cities also gain access to funding and advice from the European Investment Bank.