Reykjavík City among leading climate cities

Ritstjórn
An A-rating is awarded to cities that provide detailed and reliable data on greenhouse gas emissions, risk assessments, and action plans. Mynd/Arctic Images - Ragnar Th.
Aerial photo of Reykjavík showing Hallgrímskirkja.

Reykjavík City is among 120 cities on the independent assessment company CDP's list that receive the highest rating for having a comprehensive action plan related to the climate emergency integrated into their policies. A total of 738 cities submitted data to CDP, and only 16% of them made it onto the A-list for 2025. Making it onto the list means that Reykjavík City is considered to be among those cities leading the fight against climate change. Most of the cities are in Europe and the United States.

An A-rating is awarded to cities that provide detailed and reliable data on greenhouse gas emissions, risk assessments, and action plans. This shows that the city is transparent and accountable to residents and the international community, as transparency is critical in the assessment process.

To make it onto the A-list, the city must:

  • Have ambitious goals for carbon neutrality. Reykjavík City has signed a Climate City Contract and is one of 112 cities in Europe selected for a pilot project on carbon neutrality 2030.
  • Have a plan with concrete actions to reduce emissions.
  • Assess and respond to climate risks, for example floods; Reykjavík has worked to protect the city against sea level rise and redesign drainage systems to withstand heavy precipitation and inland flooding.
  • Systematically work to strengthen public transportation and access for pedestrians and cyclists so that alternatives to private cars are realistic options.

Additionally, only two states made it onto the A-list in the states and regions category: Colorado and California, both in the United States. 91 states and regions submitted data. A total of about one billion people live in these 738 states, regions, and cities.