Climate action plan 2021-2025

City of Reykjavik
Climate Action
Plan for 2021-2025

1

City of Reykjavik
Climate Action
Plan for 2021-2025

City of Reykjavik
February 2021

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Climate-friendly Reykjavik
This winter Reykjavik residents had the least snowy season in the past 100 years. Meanwhileother inhabitants of the country had to struggle with heavy snowstorms, landslides andavalanches. Changes in weather and all kinds of weather extremes are noticeable around theworld and Iceland is no exception. The earth has been warming since the industrial revolution
and this process will continue unless we change policy.
There has been a wide-ranging and necessary awakening in the past decades and states andcities of the world have agreed to roll back the man-made climate change. Reykjavik is no
exception since cities play a key role in the fight against the climate crisis threat.
Although Reykjavik is neither large nor populous in an international context and emissions
are considerably lower here than in many places, nevertheless we have a duty to support
the international commitments of Iceland and the objectives of the Paris Agreement. It is afact that large industrialised states with strong infrastructures release the greatest quantities
of greenhouse gases and this affects the poorest countries with weak infrastructures the most.
It is therefore our responsibility that we do everything we can to reach carbon neutrality
by 2040.
Actions taken as this new decade unfolds will decide what our future will look like. A new
Climate Action Plan and the City of Reykjavik´s climate strategy will be our roadmap over the
next five years on our way to less emissions and carbon neutrality. There are many issues thathave to be dealt with and the tasks are going to be extensive, diverse and radical. I have no
doubt that we will be able to achieve this common task because Reykjavik is well endowedwith know-how, skills and will.
We humans are nothing without nature and without us nature would fare significantly better.
However, it is long overdue that we live in harmony with our natural/biological environment.
The conservation of nature and environmental protection are interwoven with the battle forbetter living conditions for people and other living beings. The fight against the climate crisis
is therefore driven by the thirst to live and by affection as well as by the ideology about an
unpolluted and viable existence. It is my sincere conviction that the roadmap presented here
shows us the way in the right direction, in the direction of a more environmentally friendly andsafer city in a world which is fast on its way to recovery.

Líf Magneudóttir
Chairman of Committee of Environment and Public Health3Adaptation toclimate change

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Awakening andinnovation
Operations of theCity of Reykjavik

15 ACTIONSPRINCIPAL ACTIONSWALKABLE
CITY

ENERGYEXCHANGEHEALTHENHANCING
COMMUTESCIRCULAR
THINKINGECOFRIENDLYCARBONSTRUCTURES SEQUESTRATIONREDUCTION TARGETS
FOR 2030

15 minute district

GÖNGUVÆN
WALKABLE
BORG
CITY

Through the process of district planning, renewal of urban centres and investments ininfrastructure, the City’s districts will become more pedestrian-friendly and theaccess to green areas, outdoors-activities and services will be ensured within a radiusof fifteen minutes’ walk or on bicycle.

Green city development

The city’s future development will all be within it´s defined urban growth limit line
and 80% of housing development will be located within convenient distance fromthe new BusRapid Transport system, Borgarlínan.

Energy exchange everywhere
ORKUSKIPTIENERGYEXCHANGE

A comprehensive plan to be drawn up and carried out for energy exchange
infrastructure for private cars with charging stations in the city districts, forcommercial cars, trucks, for public transport systems, in the ports and at sea.

In total approx.
170,000 tonnes

World class cycling city

A revised cycling plan is to set goals with the aim that Reykjavik becomes a worldclass cycling city.

Borgarlína (Cityline) and improved public transportation
HEILSUEFLANDIHEALTHENHANCING
SAMGÖNGURCOMMUTES

Improved as well as efficient public transportation and the compaction of the city are
to play a key role in attaining the goals for changes in travel behaviour. Further
climate goals will be defined for the transportation agreement between the state andthe association of metropolitan area communities (SSH).

Zero waste

A comprehensive action plan to be developed for recirculation and recycling in orderto support a more sustainable treatment of waste.
CIRCULAR THINKING
HRINGRÁSARHUGSUN

54,000 tonnes

Green food policy

The City’s food policy to be implemented and cooperation to be organised involving
green agriculture in Kjalarnes.

Green construction industry

Cooperation to be organised with businesses and industry for a greener constructionindustry.
VISTVÆNECOFRIENDLY
MANNVIRKI
STRUCTURES

Construction industry
having attained carbon
neutrality

Turn CO2 into stone

Know-how and solutions by OR and Carbfix are to be developed for the sequestrationof carbon dioxide, and as the case may be of other greenhouse gases in partnershipwith universities and enterprises that are heavy emitters.

22,000 for carbon neutralenergy production

Reclamation of wetlands

to be increased according to a special plan.
KOLEFNISBINDING
CARBONSEQUESTRATIONSUPPORTACTIONS

that havemutual pointsof contact in
new city
districts andwhenrenovating theolder systems.

Reykjavik climate forests

Climate forests to be promoted in collaboration with the Reykjavik Forestry society(Skógræktarfélag Reykjavíkur), and a forestry plan be presented.

Operations of the City of Reykjavik
Fossil fuel free by 2025

Cars and equipment powered by fossil fuels will not be procured by the city as of2021 and the cars and equipment that is already possessed will be replaced before
the year 2025. (-800 tonnes)

Adaptation to climate change
Blue-green surface water solutions

New thinking in the application of utility systems with improved utilization of waterand Blue-green surface water solutions to become the rule in new city districts andwhen renovating the older systems.

Flood control installations to become recreational areas and parks

Undertakings to be initiated for the reinforcement of flood control structures along
the coastline where needed, aiming at nature based solutions, developing
recreational areas, beach parks and facilities for ocean bathing at selected locations.

Awakening and innovation
Collaboration with business and industry

Continue to cooperate with Festa, centre for social responsibility and businesses
under the banner of the City of Reykjavik &4 Festa Climate climate declaration towards
further results in all sections of the economy.

45.00 tonnes because ofland use

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Table of contents
INTRODUCTION

6METHODOLOGY
Steering Group and personnel
Consultation

7
7
7

The public
External stakeholders
Processing by the Steering Group

7
8
8

CARBON NEUTRALITY 2040
Methodology used when estimating greenhouse gas Emission (GHL)
Community-Scale Greenhouse emissions in Reykjavik
Emissions from Reykjavik City operations 2019

9
9
10
11

CHALLENGES AND RISK FACTORS
Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories in Reykjavik 2019
Emissions from Reykjavik City operations 2019

12
12
13

NEW FUTURE VISION AND MAIN OBJECTIVES
Main objectives and support factors
Main objectives
Support factors

14
14
15
16

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA
Action		17
18

Decade of action

18

Principal aims:
Walkable city
Principal aims:
Energy exchange

20

Health-promoting transport (active modes of travel)
Circular thinking
Green structures
Carbon sequestration
Adaptation to climate change
Change in attitudes and innovation
The operation of the City of Reykjavik to become carbon neutral
Future forecast – how can carbon neutrality be achieved?
Criteria:

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
28

IMPLEMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL
References

29
30

Authors of photos

30

GENDER EQUALITY EVALUATION OF THE CITY OF REYKJAVIKCLIMATE POLICY 2021-2025

31

19

5

Climate action plan 2021-2025

INTRODUCTION
The serious consequences of climate change in the world are constantly appearing moreclearly. Already at present there has been one degree centigrade human caused global
warming from the start of the industrial revolution and it is considered to be very likely that
there will be 1.5 degree centigrade warming between the years 2030 and 2052 if there is nochange in the present emissions. Much points in the direction that this warming may increase
up to 3–5°C.1 The United Nations call for immediate action in order to maintain the global
warming within 1.5 degrees centigrade in order to prevent disaster in all areas of human life,socially, environmentally and economically.2 In Reykjavik the effect of climate change has
already had repercussions with an accompanying strain on infrastructure.3
There are opportunities to respond and in general there is a call for action. Interest andconcern regarding climate change has increased among the Icelandic population and this ispresently number three on the list of challenges which the public thinks that Iceland is facing
today. In 2018 63% of Icelanders had modified their behaviour over the previous 12 months
in order to minimize their impact on environment and climate. 4This action plan covers the years 2021–2025 and has been implemented pursuant to theearlier action plan that was in effect until the end of 2020. The City of Reykjavik´s climate
policy was first formulated in 2009 and the city was the first municipality in Iceland that
established such a policy. In connection with the Paris climate meeting in 2015 a decision
was made to revise the city’s policy where the policy was now directed towards carbon
neutrality and a detailed action programme was proclaimed.
The direction was now set towards carbon neutrality and at the same time adaptation toclimate change was added to the policy in 2016:“The city of Reykjavik’s goal is to become carbon neutral before the year 2040
and to adapt to climate change in an environmentally sound and human friendly
manner. Actions will be revised in 2020 and then every 5 years after that inaccordance with the Paris agreement 2015. The results will be measured every 2
years based on the status in the year 2015.“ 5The actions that were set forth in 2016 were in part actions that could be found in the
Reykjavik city Municpal Plan for 2010–2030, the city of Reykjavik Environmental andResource policy, and in an Action Programme for waste management, but there were also
other actions represented at the steering group meetings.

1

https://climateactiontracker.org/global/temperatures/

2

IPCC,2018: Summary for policymakers https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/

3

Reykjavíkurborg og ALTA, 2017, Yfirlit yfir helstu áhættuþætti vegna loftslagsbreytinga í Reykjavík, leiðir til aðlögunar og staða
mála https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/ahaettuthaettir_vegna_loftslagsbreytinga_i_reykjavik_-_skyrsla_0.pdf

4

https://cdn.gallup.is/media/documents/umhverfiskonnun2018.pdf

5https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/loftslagsstefna_reykjavikurborgar_kolefnishlutleysi_2040_0.pdf

6

Climate action plan 2021-2025

METHODOLOGY
Steering Group and personnel
The Climate Action plan of Reykjavik from 2016 states that the actions will be revised in 2020 andevery five years following that. The City Commission for Environmental and Public Health agreed torevise the action programme and the city council representatives Líf Magneudóttur, Sigurborg Ósk
Haraldsdóttir and Vigdís Hauksdóttir were appointed to a steering group for the revision of the
Reykjavik climate action plan. Hrönn Hrafnsdóttir, specialist at the Department of Environment andPlanning, and Þórhildur Ósk Halldórsdóttir, head of Reykjavik City Department of Finance and Risk
Management, were employed by the steering group. In addition Jón Steinar Garðarsson Mýrdal,
project manager for SPARCS at the City of Reykjavik, was also involved in the project andrecommended the text for the report. Freyja Barkardóttir, specialist and an employee of the steeringgroup for gender-based budgeting is the author of the text about gender equality evaluation.
The group took note of how the city of Vancouver had approved an emergency plan for climate
affairs and action programme in order to follow up on that declaration. 6.7
The report was developed in accordance with a “guiding policy template tor the subject and policy
areas of the City of Reykjavik” and in accordance with rules for policies and policy setting plans of
the City of Reykjavik.
The winter was hard and it affected the work of the group negatively. Major storm and bad weather
placed restrictions on the meetings in the months of December and January. By the end of February
COVID-19 was carried to the country with accompanying restrictions.
A total of 17 meetings were held.

Consultation
There is an increased appeal in society for increased consultation and more radical action inclimate matters.
Therefore it was decided at the outset of work to seek ideas for action from the grass roots and fromthe public. There was also a special emphasis placed on input from professional and grass roots
organisations in order to deepen the work and elicit as many voices as possible.

The public
Advertisements for ideas regarding actions in climate matters were published on the web, on radio
and in newspapers during the period 15 November until 8 December 2019. A total of 200 ideas werereceived through the portal in addition to proposals that were received by the steering group by
e-mail and at meetings. The consultant Berglind Sigmarsdóttir aided with the processing of the
proposals that were received and a summary of this can be found in the annex.
The principal points of emphasis that could be summarised from the proposals received from thepublic were the following: 8
1. Reduce car traffic – incentive plan / electric car sharing economy.
2. A better organised bus system, more routes and buses, free rides on buses.
3. Make cultivation/revegetation part of active school work.
4. Increase the supply of animal-free products in canteens.
5. The family park and zoo made into a modern and smart education and science centre.
6. Establish clearer rules and harmonise the waste sorting system in the capital area.
7. The ideas of a circular economy made a part of public tender processes for all construction
contracts by the City.
8. A linkage of discounts to tax expenses for new construction if eco-friendly methods areused, discounts given after final assessment.
6 City of Vancouver, ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Reportm Date: April 16, 2019 https://council.vancouver.ca/20190424/documents/cfsc1.pdf
7 City of Vancouver, Climate Emergency Response, https://council.vancouver.ca/20190424/documents/cfsc1presentation.pdf
8 See the annex by Berglind Sigmarsdóttir(in Icelandic only): “The results of an analysis for the revision of a climate action plan-- --issues by the City of Reykjavik“7Climate action plan 2021-2025

External stakeholders
One meeting was held with external stakeholders on 28 January 2020 in order to seek ideas
for new actions regarding climate affairs. KPMG was the overall manager of the meeting andreturned the results that can be found in the annex.
It should be stated that the intent was to hold the meeting in December and again in January
but both of these meetings had to be cancelled due to weather. The main points of emphasisthat came from the external stakeholders were as follows: 9• Public transportation• System of information delivery• Energy/energy exchange• Uniform classification• Eco-friendly vehicles• Minimizing food waste• Planning decisions and construction
projects• Reprocessing and recovery• Risk management• Innovation• Education• Green areas• Responsible procurement• Partnerships• Food policy• Change in attitude

Processing by the Steering GroupThe steering group made a culling of the proposals that were received and prioritised. The
points of emphasis that emerged through the action were divided into nine categories; six
primary goals and three categories that contravene all the goals and will be further discussed
in the following.
Six main objectives

GÖNGUVÆN

BORG
Walkablecity

ORKUSKIPTIEnergyexchange

HEILSUEFLANDISAMGÖNGUR

Healthpromoting
modes of travel

HRINGRÁSARHUGSUN

Circularthinking

VISTVÆNMANNVIRKI

Green
structures

KOLEFNISBINDING

Carbonsequestration

Three categories that are common themes in the main objectives• Adaptation to climate change• Awakening and innovation• Operations of the City of Reykjavik

Draft discussed by the city committee of Environment and Health and by theCity Council
Following discussions by the city Committee of Environment and Health by the City
Council in January of 2021 the draft was sent to the stakeholders for comment. A press
release was also sent out whereby all were invited to return comments on the draft. The
comments were taken up for discussion at the meeting of the steering group and the textof the report was corrected and clarified where it was necessary in the opinion of thesteering group.

9

See annex (Icelandic only): KPMG “Workshop on the City of Reykjavik climate Policy”

8Climate action plan 2021-2025

CARBON NEUTRALITY 2040
Carbon neutrality is a recent concept in the climate discussion. “Carbon neutrality means acondition where a balance has been achieved between the speed of emissions and capturecaused by humans and the net release is therefore zero … The Paris Agreement is driven by
the goal to maintain global warming well within 2° centigrade and as little above 1.5°C as
possible. This calls for global emissions to reach a maximum without further delay and willthen decrease rapidly until carbon neutrality has been reached“ 10In 2016 Reykjavik declared its goal to achieve carbon neutrality in the year 2040 andformulated a detailed action programme. The Icelandic government declared the same goalin 2017 in addition to other international commitments. The main challenge in order toachieve the goal to become carbon neutral in 2040 is to reduce emissions. It is discussed
worldwide that emissions need to be reduced by half until the year 2030, and then be again
reduced during the following decade10, 11. Many different parties need to put in a helping
hand. The action plan 2021–2025 reflects the wide-ranging approach and width of projects
that is needed in order for transformation to take place towards a carbon neutral society

Methodology used when estimating greenhouse gas Emission (GHL)
When estimating greenhouse gas emissions, a methodology is used that follows theinternational standard Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission
Inventories (GPC). The standard is under the auspices of GHG protocol that is the primaryclimate accounting manager for businesses and municipalities all around the world.12 The Cityof Reykjavik declares the emission of greenhouse gasses on two levels. On the one hand it isCommunity-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories and on the other hand emissions
from own operations of the City.

10 The Climate Council´s opinion on carbon neutrality
https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/02-Rit--skyrslur-og-skrar/Samantekt%20 Loftslagsr%C3%A1%C3%B0s%20
um%20kolefnishlutleysi%20-%20Loka%C3%BAtg%C3%A1fa-%20Uppsett.pdf
11 IPCC, 2018
12 See advisory material concerning the methodology for assessing emissions from cities on the GHG website:
https://ghgprotocol.org/greenhouse-gas-protocol- accounting-reporting-standard-cities

9Climate action plan 2021-2025

The community-scale emission applies to all emission from the society in the city: residents,
companies, organisations, transport, land use and activities within the city. Emissions from theoperation of the city relates e.g. to the operation of a car fleet, electricity use in housing ownedby the city and waste from the operations.
In both instances, when community scale evaluation and operational assessment is performed
the emissions are divided into three different scopes.

Community-Scale Greenhouse emissions in Reykjavik
Emission sources for greenhouse gasses are divided into scopes based on their origin and use.
Scope 1 is the release of GHG from sources within city limits, e.g. because of traffic within the city
limits. Scope 2 are GHG* emissions from electricity, heat, steam or cooling that is used within thecity limits and is distributed in the form of utilities or distribution networks. Scope 3 are all otheremissions of GHG outside the city limits which takes place because of activities that take place
within the city limits, i.e. indirect emissions that take place in the upper end or in the lower endof the value chain.
The results are published as BASIC, BASIC+ and BASIC+ & Scope 3 for year 2019 in a table on
page 12. Under BASIC only treatment of waste that comes under Scope 1 and 3 is taken into
account, and transportation that comes under Scope 1 and energy use that comes under Scope
2. The model BASIC+ adds chemical use to this, industrial activity in addition to emissions fromagriculture and land use and BASIC+ & Scope 3 adds other items that come under Scope 3. In asocial climate accounting for Reykjavik in 2019 the first steps were taken to evaluate emissions in
Scope 3.13
* GHG is short for Greenhouse gasses

Scope 3
Scope 1

Waste andrun-off
withinarea

Agriculture,
forestryand land

Waste andrun-off
outsidearea

Scope 2
LocalizedenergyEnergyproduction
withinIndustrial processes
and chemical use

Energyproduction
outside area

Transport
inside the area

Transport-and
distribution system

Transport
outside the area

13 Reykjavik City Climate Accounting 2019https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/loftlagsbokhald_reykjavikurborgar_2019_final_x.pdf

10Climate action plan 2021-2025

Emissions from Reykjavik City operations 2019
Scope 1 is emission of GHG caused by operations of the city, e.g. operation of gasoline, diesel
oil or electrically driven cars. Scope 2 is emission of GHG caused by electricity that is used
for city buildings.
Scope 3 is a totally different emission of GHG outside the operation of the city, waste isdefined as part of Scope 3 where private parties manage waste collection from economic
activity, and including the operation of the City of Reykjavik.14 The results for the years
2015-2019 are published on page 13.
Actions relating to the operation of the City of Reykjavik were part of the earlier action planfrom 2016.
It should be mentioned that with the amendments to the climate act in 2019 there was an
obligation placed on the local communities in Iceland that they should formulate a policy inclimate affairs for the operations of the local community: „ ... The Policy shall include definedgoals for contraction of emissions of GHG and the carbon offset of the operation including
actions so that those goals will be attained,” 15

Emission of greenhouse gasses – scope 1, 2 and 3

CO2

CH4

N2O

HFCS

Scope 2
Indirect impact

PFCS

SF6

Scope 1
Direct impact

Scope 3
Indirect impact

Scope 3
Indirect impact

Contracted goods
and services

Transport anddistribution
Electricity andheat for own use

Investments
and equipment
Fuel andenergyRented housing

Investments

Own housing

Employees to and from

Further processingof sold goods
Company
vehicleWorking trips
Transport and Waste from the
distribution
production

Goods and services to the company

Kr.

Leasedtrademarks

Use of sold
goods

Rentedproperties
Disposal ofsold goods

The company

Goods and services from the company
Source: The Greenhouse Gas Protocol

14 You can find further information in Icelandic about the methodology relating to the calculation of emissions from operations
on the Festa website (Icelandic only): https://samfelagsabyrgd.is/verkefnin/loftslagsmarkmid/
15 https://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/2012070.html see Art. 5 para 1

11Climate action plan 2021-2025

CHALLENGES AND RISK FACTORS
Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories inReykjavik 2019
When looking to the factors that the City of Reykjavik is able to affect, emissions fromtransportations continues to be by far the largest proportion of community-scale emissions
irrespective of which official calculations and methodology is used. When only looking at a
simple carbon footprint transport is 82% of all emissions. When other factors are added to aregional carbon footprint in addition to the value chain the proportion is 64 % when otheraffects are included (Regional carbon footprint in addition to the value chain and the effect ofother activities within city limits) the proportion is 54% of all emissions.
Community-scale emissions inventory in Reykjavik according to scope in 2019;

Simplecarbonfootprint

CO2tíg

Proportion

Transport
Waste
Energy use

340,92154,524
21,637

82%
13%
5%

Total

417,082

Regional carbon
footprint in addition to
the value chain

CO2tíg

Proportion

Transport
Waste
Energy use
Agriculture

340,92154,524
21,637
3,510

64%
10%
4%
1%

Chemical processes andindustry

62,840Land use

45,421CO2tíg

Proportion

Transport
Waste
Energy use
Agriculture

340,92154,524
21,637
3,510

54%
9%
3%
1%

12%

Chemical processes
and industry

62,84010%9%Land use

45,421

7%

Manufacture of foodproducts

8,043

1%

Construction industry

93,96815%

528,853

Total

Regional carbon
footprint in addition to
the value chain and theaffect of other activities
within the city limits

Total

630,864

It is clear that contraction of emissions in Reykjavik will to a great extent need to come fromroad transport. In order to reduce emissions from road transport the number of driven
kilometres needs to be reduced and to reduce emissions per driven kilometre. The goal of
the City of Reykjavik is that in 2030 the proportion of trips that are made by car have been
reduced to 58%16 from 73% which it was according to a travel habit survey that was made in
201717. This reduction in proportion means however in reality that the number of car trips isgoing to remain more or less the same because of an expected population increase in thecapital area18, and therefore it will not result in a reduction of emissions without a reductionin emissions per each driven kilometre.
The increase of eco-friendly vehicles has been quite fast in recent years and in 2020 about
19% of new registered cars either pure electric cars or plug-in hybrid cars PHEV. Neverthelesscars that are driving on fossil fuel on the street of the city and 48% of cars that were imported
in 2020 are solely Diesel or gasoline fuelled19. If the intent is to reduce significantly traffic
emissions then the number of eco-friendly vehicles needs to increase in the coming years
and the number of vehicles that are fuelled by fossil fuels need to be decreased at record
speed during the same time.
When looking towards 2040 and the goal of carbon neutrality it is clear that all sectors needto reduce emissions almost completely, including due to the use of fossil fuels, the creationof waste and because of energy use.

16 “City of Reykjavik climate policy“, City of Reykjavik, 2016.
17 “Travels by the residents of Reykjavik. October-November 2017“, Gallup, 2017.
18 “Capital area 2040, Traffic forecast for 2030 for changes in regional planning“, VSÓ consulting, Association of municipalities in the
Capital area, 2017.
19 Vehicle numbers from the Icelandic Transport Authority http://bifreidatolur.samgongustofa.is12

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Emissions from Reykjavik City operations 2019
Reykjavik City signed the City of Reykjavik and Festa’s Declaration for Climate Change in2015. This declaration embodied:• decrease emissions of greenhouse gasses• reduce the creation of waste• measure the results and to publish regularly information about the status of the above
factors
The first comprehensive measuring of the emission of greenhouse gasses was issued for theyear 2015 and the methodology of the accounting is in accordance with the City of
Reykjavik’s climate goals and the green accounting of the Green steps by the City of
Reykjavik. Environmental factors which the accounting covers is the fuel consumption (directemissions, Scope 1), electricity (indirect emission, Scope 2) and waste/recycling (indirectemission, Scope 3).20

Emissions from
Reykjavik City operations
2015-2019

Between the years 2015 and 2019 the emission from the use of fossil fuels was reduced by
577 tonnes. Emissions from electricity was reduced by 82 tonnes from 2016 and theemissions from waste had increased by 387 tonnes from 2015. The Net decrease for thesethree items is approx. 272 tonnes.
6.000
5.000
4.000
3.000
2.000
1.000

0
		
2015
2016
WASTE
ELECTRICITY
FUEL

405
4.525
1.377

443
321
1.379

2017

2018

2019

477
254
1.267

533
204
1.224

792
239
800

Numerical goals in the City of Reykjavik climate policy, that regard the operation of the City
are carbon neutrality by 2040 and that the car fleet operated by the City is free from theemission of greenhouse gasses in 2025, but it is expected that the volume of waste andelectricity consumption will remain the same.
The high percentage of electricity in the total emissions for the operation of the City of
Reykjavik in 2015 is from the sale by ON of the guarantees of origin at that time. In
accordance with Directive 2009/28/EB enterprises and institutions must follow thecalculations from Orkustofnun (National Energy Authority) concerning emissions, but thesecalculations are based on the combination of the origin of electricity taking into account thesale of guarantees of origin out of the country.21 In other words enterprises and institutions
may not maintain that their energy use is solely based on renewable energy resources unlessan energy company does not sell guarantees of origin out of the country and receives a
confirmation by a special declaration. Enterprises and institutions may however pay for thecertificate of origin. Landsvirkjun, Orka náttúrunnar and HS orka have sold guarantees oforigin at different prices against receiving fossil fuels or nuclear energy in return. The City of
Reykjavik is a client of Orka náttúrunnar. Since 2016 Orka náttúrunnar has delivered
guarantees of origin that accompany the sale of electricity to its clients with the exception of
power-intensive industry without compensation.22
The figures of electricity of the operations of the City of Reykjavik for the years 2016–2019
has therefore been certified and the calculations are lower than the reference year 2015
according to this.
20 cfr. the methodology of Greenhouse gas protocol
21 Discussion based on: Hrafnhildur Bragadóttir, Birna S. Hallsdóttir (March 2016) Guarantees of origin in an Icelandic context.
Report prepared for the Ministry of Industries and Innovation. Environice https://www.atvinnuvegaraduneyti.is/media/2015/
161018-Upprunaabyrgdir-i-islensku-samhengi.pdf
22 https://orkustofnun.is/media/upprunaabyrgdir/OS-Stodlud-yfirlysing-2020-.pdf

13

Climate action plan 2021-2025

NEW FUTURE VISION AND MAIN OBJECTIVES
Concurrent with a new action plan there is a change in the wording of the future vision by
the City of Reykjavik on climate issues:“The city of Reykjavik’s goal is to become carbon neutral before the year 2040 andthat the adaptation to climate change will take place in an environmentally soundand human friendly manner. Reykjavik City supports the goal of the Paris agreement
to maintain global warming within1.5°C. Actions will be revised in 2025 and thenevery 5 years after that in accordance with the Paris agreement 2015. The results
will be measured at least once every year.“
The support for the Paris agreement is intensified, the wording concerning adaptation toclimate change is slightly altered and instead of having the results measured every two years
it is suggested that the evaluation be performed annually. Because of progress in themethodology of evaluation of the emission of greenhouse gasses and increased additional
data the year of reference for emissions is to be 2019 rather than 2015.

Main objectives and support factors
The main objectives for the next five years are six points of emphasis that are going to havethe greatest impact in order for the goals to be achieved:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Walkable city
Energy exchange
Health-promoting modes of travel
Green structures
Circular thinking
Carbon sequestrationin addition to these six main goals there are several actions that must be directed towards allthese factors and function as support to all the goals:• Adaptation to climate change• Awakening and innovation• Operations of the City of Reykjavik

Adaptation toclimate change
Awakening andinnovation
Operations of theCity of Reykjavik

WALKABLE
CITY

ENERGYEXCHANGEHEALTHENHANCING
COMMUTES14CIRCULAR
THINKINGECOFRIENDLYCARBONSTRUCTURES SEQUESTRATIONClimate action plan 2021-2025

Main objectives
The biggest subject matter and the greatest opportunities to reduce the emission of greenhousegasses are found in a change in transport. That is where the greatest amount of emissions comesfrom both geographically and in the operations of the city.
The first three issues of importance are therefore directly related to transport: a walkable city
energy exchange and Health-promoting modes of travel.

Walkable city
A walkable city contains many types of service, access to outdoor areas and to public transportshould be in walking distance from homes and/or workplace. That way the need for driving is
reduced and it increases the access for all to a diverse city life.
GÖNGUVÆNBORG

ORKUSKIPTIEnergy exchange
Energy exchange in vehicle transportation entail the reduction of emissions in transportation, road,ship and air traffic. Almost all emissions in Reykjavik can be traced to the use of cars powered byfossil fuels. The solution consists in reducing travel needs, to increase the proportion of modes oftravel that on average have less or no emissions, and thirdly to increase the proportion of clean
energy vehicles on the roads. It should be stated that in the government’s action plan there isanother interpretation of the words: “energy exchange”.23 In this action plan energy exchange isinterpreted in the meaning that this may also consist in using own energy in order to commute
between locations, to walk or cycle.

Health-promoting modes of travel

HEILSUEFLANDISAMGÖNGUR

Vehicle energy exchange by themselves are not sufficient to obtain the goals of the Paris
agreement. Energy exchange can also entail the use of own energy to commute between locations,
walk or cycle. Health-promoting or active modes of travel entail various benefits besides the
reduction of greenhouse gasses. The increased physical activity of the inhabitants improves publichealth and when the number of those who walk increases the safety of pedestrians and residents
will increase.

Green structures

VISTVÆNMANNVIRKI

Green buildings are a new factor in the Climate action plan and it entails an extension of the
carbon footprint that is being considered by the City of Reykjavik and is then moved in the
direction towards a carbon footprint that is life-cycle assessed.24 Until the present time the carbon
footprint of structures and of the building industry has not been assessed but in this field there areopportunities to reduce emissions significantly, including by the use of environmentally friendly
building materials and architecture.

Circular thinking

HRINGRÁSARHUGSUN

Circular thinking is about using resources more efficient and to reduce the creation of waste, i.e.
how to introduce a new thinking in design and material handling so that resources are not being
depleted and landfill disposals will become a thing of the past.25 The ideology entails the reductionin the creation of waste, refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. Circular thinking also entailsa change in production and consumption resulting in less environmental impact. i.a. different
emphasis regarding food selection where a climate-friendly diet is also a human-friendly diet.26

Carbon sequestration

KOLEFNISBINDING

Carbon sequestration is that factor that needs to support the emissions that will be impossible toreduce. Forestry entails carbon sequestration from the atmosphere, but a technological carbon
sequestration from the atmosphere can also be employed, e.g. integration of Carbfix technicalsolutions with the so called air suction device technology. At the same time the Carbfix technology
can be used to prevent the exhaust from energy and industrial production, as well as from waste.
Reclamation of wetlands prevents the emission of greenhouse gasses from the soil. Many measuresconnected with carbon sequestration are the same or closely related to actions which are definedin the City of Reykjavik policy on biodiversity, and besides, these issues are closely related.

23

Stjórnarráðið, 2020. https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/02-Rit--skyrslur-og-skrar/Adgerdaaetlun%20i%20
loftslagsmalum%20onnur%20utgafa.pdf
24 EFLA, 2020
25 COMPLETING THE PICTURE HOW THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TACKLES CLIMATE CHANGE
26 https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/the-planetary-health-diet-and-you/

15

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Support factors
Adaptation to climate change
Because of an increase in precipitation and the rise of sea levels adaptation to climate change
and reselience of the City needs to be developed. When preventing flooding or other effects ofclimate change it continues to be necessary to keep in mind that the City has to be walkable
and that wholesome modes of travel can work. It is also necessary to ensure that otherinfrastructure is not endangered such as because of energy transport. All structures, nature
based or otherwise need to have resilience against climate change. Circular thinking isimportant when tackling climate change and carbon sequestration can well go together withthe development of flood control structures and other prevention for trees and vegetation.

Awakening and innovation
Carbon neutrality and adjustment to climate change cannot be attained unless there is a joint
effort by all. Knowledge of climate issues and the consequences of climate change has been on
the increase and at the same time Icelanders have increasingly become more interested incontributing to this matter. A minority of the country feels that they are well knowledgeable
regarding climate issues27 which shows that there is need for an awakening and increased
education. At the same time changes need to occur quickly so that emissions can be quickly
reduced. There is a need for another and a new thinking and approach to the topics of daily life,
systems and technology in order to attain huge changes in the carbon footprint. An increased
awakening and innovation are important factors for this to happen.

Operations of the City of Reykjavik
The City of Reykjavik has an influence on how walkable the City is by planning walkablecommunities but also by setting demands and making requirements and give instructions tocontractors and economic operators how best to ensure access. Energy exchange in own car
fleet has a substantial impact on the City’s climate accounting and the support of energy
exchange by the residents and in business and industry has an impact on societal emissions.
Sustainable procurement by the City can greatly influence circular thinking but also on the useof fossil fuels and requirements regarding green structures which the City builds. Circular
thinking is important in order to reduce the creation of waste and to reduce the emissions fromit at the city’s workplaces. The emphasis has been placed on green structures in the newbuildings that the City operates, and there will be a continuation of this. The own cultivation by
the City and all planting has an influence on carbon sequestration.

Equality evaluation of climate action - before and after
Climate change and action because of it has an unequal impact on different groups in society
just as other actions by the government. Experience and research show that upheaval causedby climate change has the most detrimental effect on the elderly, poor people and children.
Women are a majority of older people and more women than men are struggling with poverty
and they carry more responsibility for the care of children and family and the home. The
consumption and travel habits of the genders are also different and note must be taken ofgender-based differences in plans, goal setting and performance measurements. By taking
note of gender and equality view-points we are more likely to be successful regarding thesefactors. The gender based, social and economic dimension must therefore be included in allplans for climate action and the success must also be evaluated in view of this. This means that
there must be a continuous gathering of gender-based data just as other information
concerning the quantity, cost and timing of climate action. It is important to evaluate eachaction of the climate action plan based on gender and equality-based aspects.

27

Umhverfiskönnun Gallup 2020 https://www.gallup.is/nidurstodur/frodleikur/

16

Climate action plan 2021-2025

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA
Objectives

Standards

Status 2020

Indicator 2025

Indicator 2030

ISO37120 Standard:
Percentage of residents
who live in proximity tobasic services (Basic
Service proximity).

ISO37120 success standards
will be measured in 2021.

90% in the proximity ofservice.

90% in the proximity
of service.

GÖNGUVÆN
Walkable
BORG city

In 2017 93.5% of the residents
lived within 400 m from a bus
shelter.
In 2020 94% of the residents
lived within 400 m from arecreational area.

The emissions of GHG
from transportation.

The emissions of GHL fromtransportation was 340.921
tCO2 equivalent in 2019.
Thereof 283.018 tCO2 becauseof street traffic.

It is estimated that GHG
emissions fromtransportation will be
reduced by 5% annually.

Goal:
Emissions fromtransportation lessthan 170.000 tCO2
equivalent (50% of
340 thousand).

ISO37120 standard:
Percentage of travel
because of work byother mode of travel
than by private car

ISO37120 success standards
will be measured in 2021.

The plan is that over 50%
will use health-promoting
modes of travel by 2040.

45% to use active
health-promoting
mode of travel.

Emissions of GHG fromwaste.

Emissions of GHG from waste
was 54,522 tonnes in 2019.

Consumption driven
emissions.

Consumption driven
emissions is expected to be
484,000 tCO2 equivalent in
2019.

ORKUSKIPTIEnergyexchange

HEILSUEFLANDISAMGÖNGUR

Health-promoting
modes of travel

Circular thinking

HRINGRÁSARHUGSUN

Emissions of GHG fromconstruction industry.

Emissions of GHG from waste
was 54,522 tonnes in 2019.
Consumption driven
emissions is expected to be
484,000 tCO2 equivalent in
2019.

VISTVÆNGreen
MANNVIRKI
structures

Emissions/ GHG
sequestration
because of land use.
GHG sequestration
because of forestry.
KOLEFNISBINDING

Carbonsequestration

28

2019 28% of those questioned
used health-promoting modeof travel to and from work.28

Emissions from drainage of
wetlands is estimated to be
56,009 tCO2 equivalent.
Carbon sequestration becauseof forestry is estimated to be
10.587 tCO2 equivalent.
Net emission from land use
was accordingly 45,422 tCO2
equivalent in 2019.

Gallup Travel habit survey, questionnaire survey.

172025 the percentage
would need to be at least
40%.

With the introduction of
GAJA emissions should
be close to 0 by end of2025.

Carbon neutral
treatment of waste.

There are expectations
that by 2025 there will beavailable more precise
information about
consumption driven
emissions.
Expectations are for athat in 2025 there will beavailable more precise
information about
emissions fromconstruction.

Carbon neutral
Construction industry

Net emissions will beclose to zero in 2025
and that carbon
sequestration will takeplace from then on.

Carbon sequestration
positive.

Climate action plan 2021-2025

ActionDecade of action
Many different parties need to put in effort. At the start of this report a list of 15 of the main
actions have been highlighted and the actions that are presented for the next five years areshown in the accompanying annex. There are a variety of actions and they arrive from different
corners in the spirit of the procedure that was used during the work on the action plan where
there was a wide range of consultation from various sources. The actions are a sort of guide towhere the way leads for the next five years but there is a need for further processing in order tobe able to quantify, cost estimate and schedule the actions. As soon as this action plan has been
approved work will be initiated to assess what each single action will return in carbon dioxide
equivalents and what it will cost. It is expected that work will be completed by summer 2021. As
far as possible there will be an analysis of the effect the different actions will have on different
social groups, with respect to income, origin, gender and other factors. The objective with theactions is that the City of Reykjavik will be contributing to support the goal of the Paris
agreement to maintain global warming within1.5°C.

18

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Walkable city
GÖNGUVÆNBORG

ActionSchedule

Cost

Success measurement

Effect on GHG
emissions

Emphasise proximity tobasic services - consolidate
populated areas.

20212030

Part of AR2040 andwork within framework.

Percentage of inhabitants
with access to proximity
services.

Reduces emissions
significantly becauseof less need to drive.

DEP *Promote the wellbeing ofpedestrians, pollutionfree areas defined.

20212025

Needs to be costestimated and defined.

Sq kilometres of areas freefrom polluting traffic.

Indirect impact– reduces emission.

DEP

Promote the wellbeing ofpedestrians. Ensure
walkable and green
environment along new
and re-designed routes

Isongoing

The green network isdeveloped according to
the implementation
plan and is withinframework.

Number of implementation
project that are completed
each year.

Reduces emissions,vegetation sequesters
carbon, adaptation toclimate change.

DEP

Other planting-actions
and nature conservation needs to be
defined and costestimated.

Number of nature reserves.

Number of planted plants inareas where people pass by.

Guarantor

Quantification of the wellbeing of persons and /dis-satisfaction withmarked paths.

Promote the wellbeing ofpedestrians. Increase thenumber of eco-streets in asystematic manner.

20212025

Needs to be costestimated and defined.

Sq Kilometres scope of eco- Indirect impact
streets.
– reduces emission.

DEP

More space forpedestrians, reduce
number of parking spaces
by 2% per year.

20212025

Needs to be costestimated.

Number of parking spaces
within the city land, change
from last year.

Indirect impact– reduces emissions

DEP

More space forpedestrians, shaving off
asphalt and reduce thescope of roads.

20212025

Needs to be costestimated.

Scope of roads has become
35% of land use by 2025.

Indirect impact– reduces emissions.

DEP

More space forpedestrians, estimate thecost of land that is being
used for traffic structuresand parking spaces.

20212025

Insignificant. Working
according to a priceinquiry.

Completed and issued
before end of 2021

Indirect impact.

DEP

Increase electronic service
in order to reduce travelneed.

20212025

Part of S&E and workwithin framework.

Percentage of electronic
services of City of Reykjavik.

Reduces emissions
significantly becauseof less need to drive.

S&E**

Car-detoxification.
Actions that aid people
with stopping to need torely solely on a car as adaily mode of transportation. Such as setting
up a pooling system withvarious means of transportation in the districts,
promote the idea to try
using the bus system and/or electric cycles for acertain period of time.

20212025

Needs to be further
developed, costestimated and defined.

Needs to be cost defined.

Reduces emissions.

DEP

Reduce number of petrol
stations.

2021

Is being processed by aworking group.

Recommendations from aworking group.

Reduces emissions.

DEP* DEP is short for City of Reykjavik - Department of Environment and Planning** S&E is short for City of Reykjavik Department of Services & Innovation

19

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Energy exchange
Success
measurement

Effect on GHG
emissions

Guarantor

Energy policy
passed.

Better use of energy
reduces emissions.

City
Council.

Reduces emissions

Needs tobe costdefined.

Emissions fromcar traffic

Reduces directemissions fromtransportation.

City
Council.

It is assumed that the
project will return aprofit.29

Energy exchange
complete.

Estimated approx.
21,000 tonnes per
year.30

FaxaflóaHarbour &PortsPart of DEP work andwithin framework

The emission of
GHG - emissions
from publictransportation.

Reduces emissions.

DEPStrætó
Cityline.

ActionSchedule

Cost

The city to pass a newenergy policy, i.a. about use
of water and electricity.

2022

Needs to be estimatedbased on cost but also
based on benefit.

Promote the use of diverse
climate-friendly energy
sources: electricity,methane and / or hydrogen

20212025

Needs to be better
defined and costestimated.

The City passes an action
plan for effective and green
transportation which issuited for reducing theoverall emissions fromtransportation with in theCity limits in accordancewith the interpretation of
the Paris agreement. The
action plan is to be broken
down according to mode of
travel and energy sources
with measurable results.

20212025

One of the functionsof DEP and within theframework.

Systematic work towards
energy exchange in ports.

20212025

ORKUSKIPTI

Increased number ofcharging stations.

Needs to be costdefined.

Public transport free fromGHG emissions.

20212025

Is one of Strætó-Bus Company strategicplanning for carbon
neutrality withinframework.

Reduces emissions
by about
5,000 tonnes per
year.31

The City’s LED-ification
continues. Exchange alllight bulbs used by the City
with environmentallyfriendly options.

20212025

Estimated annual saving
approx. ISK30 million.32

Reduces emissions
from street
illumination.

29 EFLA, 2020
30 COMPLETING THE PICTURE HOW THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TACKLES CLIMATE CHANGE
31 https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/the-planetary-health-diet-and-you/
32 See proposal from financial controller at the City Council 16 May 2019 https://fundur.reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/agendaitems/29_tillaga_ valnefndar_um_fjolgun_verkefna_sem_ma_fjarmagna_med_graenum_skuldabrefum_2019-05-13.pdf

20

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Health-promoting transport (active modes of travel)
Percentage of pedestrians and cyclists is so arranged that the objectives of the Paris agreement are met.

HEILSUEFLANDISAMGÖNGUR

Effect on GHG
emissions

ActionSchedule

Cost

Success measurement

Outstanding winter season
services for pedestrians,
cyclists and bus traffic.

20212025

The cost of thewinter services
depends on
climate. Is in the
DEP budget.

Percentage of winterservice for marked paths
per km vs. roads per km.
Winter service for marked
paths (km) / Winterservice for roads (km).

Depending on thesources of energy ofmachines andequipment used forwinter service.

DEP

Equality in the design oftraffic structures - funds
that go to road transport
will be balanced with funds
for infrastructure forpedestrians and cyclists.

2023

An appraisal needs
to be performed inorder to estimate
the next steps.

That an appraisal has
been performed.

During theimplementation stage
there is no change
unless there is change
in the price of selectedmaterials.

DEP

Access for all irrespectiveof mode of travel and age.
A framework must be
set up, or instructions forthe design of new andolder routes.

2022

Indirect costs
for the personnel
who designs the
instructions.

Design of instructions
completed.

Indirect affectmight reduce needfor driving.

DEP

Condition and scope of
pavement and cycling
paths to be first rate andin priority.

20212025

Indirect costs
for the personnel
who designs the
instructions.

Design of instructions
completed.

Indirect impact,
promotes activemodes of travel.

A ban on or restrictions on
use of cars in specific areas
when the air quality
forecast indicates thatpollution exceeds healthprotection limits(gray days).

20212025

One of thefunctions of the
response team for
air quality and iswithin theframework.

Needs to be cost defined.

Reduces emissions.

DEP

Set up special collection
areas for shared electricbikes, scooters, electricscooters and other suchinstead of parking spaces.

2023

Indirect costs forthe personnel who
define such areas.

Number of collection
areas.

Indirect impact,
promotes activemodes of travel.

DEP

Charging stations for cycles
in covered car parks and at
the City’s institutions.

20212025

Needs to be costestimated.

Number of covered carparks and institutions
that possess charging
stations.

Indirect impact.

DEP

A coordinate cycle pathsystem for the whole
capital area.

20212025

Part of follow-up on
the cycle plan andis within theframework.

The length of cycle paths
in Km.

Indirect impact,
promotes activemodes of travel.

DEP

Separation of pedestrians,
cyclists and drivers.

Part of follow-up
on the cycle planand is within theframework.

The percentage ofseparated cycling paths
and pedestrian paths.

Indirect impact,
promotes activemodes of travel.

DEP

Possible to store cycles
at bike transfer stations /large bus-stations.

Part of follow-up on
the cycle plan andis within theframework.

Number of storage areas.

Indirect impact,
promotes activemodes of travel.

DEP

21

Guarantor

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Circular thinking

HRINGRÁSARHUGSUN

Success
measurement

ActionSchedule

Cost

Effect on GHG emissions

Guarantor

Zero waste policy 2025.

20212025

Needs to be costestimated.

Policy ready.

Reduces emissions frommixed waste.

DEP

Experimental project forvegetable markets indistricts.
Street-food vegetables.
Promote more of the shareeconomy in the districts.

2023

Needs to be costestimated.

Needs to becost defined.

Reducesemissions from theimportation offood products.

DEP

Emissions from theproduction of food to beevaluated in carbon footprint
for the City of Reykjavik.

2021

Within theframework.

Assessment
completed.

Indirect impact,increases the knowledgeof emissions form foodproducts.

DEP

Emissions from industry
also to be evaluated incarbon footprint for the Cityof Reykjavik.

2021

Within theframework.

Assessment
completed.

Indirect impact, increases
the knowledge ofemissions form industry.

DEP

Develop a venue for wastefrom the construction industry.

2022

Needs to be costestimated and better
defined.

Venue
has beenestablished.

Reduces emissions.

DEP

Correlate sorting-methods
for the institution of the City of
Reykjavik and for households
in the capital area.

2021

Within theframework.

Correlationachieved.

Indirect impact, will
presumably reduce
emissions from waste.

DEP

Emissions from industry
also to be evaluated incarbon footprint for the Cityof Reykjavik.

2021

Within theframework.

Assessment
completed.

Indirect impact, increases
the knowledge ofemissions form industry.

DEP

Commitments regarding
emissions from industry
inserted into zoning plans.

2021

Indirect costs forthe personnel who
develop the
specifications.

Stipulations andCommitmentscompleted.

Reduces emissions.

DEP

Apply for being a European
Green City.

2022

Indirect costs for the
personnel who writeand produce theapplication.

Applying
completed.

Indirect impact.

DEP

Support agencies and projects
that provide repair service forelectrical equipment,
tools-instruments“library“(sewing machines,
instruments etc.).
The Major theme is to repair
rather than throw away.

20212025

Needs to better
defined and costestimated.

Needs to becost defined.

Reduces emissions fromwaste- preventive
measures.

DEP

22

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Green structures
VISTVÆNMANNVIRKI

Effect on GHG
emissions

ActionSchedule

Cost

Success measurement

All construction projects by
the City of Reykjavik to be fossil
fuel free, i.e. that work
equipment be powered byelectricityor biofuel.

2023

Needs to better
defined andcost estimated.

Over 80% of work
equipment at construction
sites to be fuelled byenvironmentallysound energy sources.

Reduces local
emissions.

Sustainable design of city
to be the guiding light for allcity planning and construction
project.

20212025

Needs to better
defined andcost estimated.

Needs to be costdefined.

Reduces emissions i.a.
for modes of travel but
may also increasecarbon sequestration.

Emissions from to the
production of construction
materials also to be assessed in
the City of Reykjavik carbon
footprint.

2021

Within theframeworkof DEP.

Assessment completed.

Indirect impact,increases theknowledge of emissions from construction
materials.

New districts to beenvironmentally certified.

2021

Within theframeworkof DEP.

Number ofenvironmentallycertified districts.

Reduces emissions.

Plan rented plots for cottages /huts. Small summer huts with alittle garden plot “Kolonihave“.
Hólmsheiði and Austur-heiðar
could be possible locations.

2024

Needs to better
defined andcost estimated.

Needs to be cost defined.

Depends on the effecton the travel need ofcottage holders andthe focus on
cultivation.

BREEAM-certification for newbuildings and the maintenanceof the City’s properties.

20212025

Is part of DEP
projects andwithin framework there.

Number of BREEAM
certified construction
projects on the City’s
properties.

Reduces emissions.

Guarantor
DEP

DEP

DEP

DEP

23

DEP

DEP

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Carbon sequestration
Success
measurement

Effect on GHG
emissions

Needs to becost estimated.

Percentage ofreclaimed
wetland.

Might be up to
33,000tonnes.33

USK

2021

Needs to better definedand cost estimated.

Number oftrees planted per
year.

Carbonsequestration
approx. 1,000
tonnes per year.

DEP

If ground vegetation cover isremoved because of
constructions, streets or paths
this vegetation cover must be
used for finishing or for otherplaces, e.g. on house-roofs or
disturbed areas.

20212025

Need to take careful noteof placement and extent
of forestry.

Needs to be costdefined.

Carbonsequestration.

DEP

Tree and bush cultivation on
traffic islands

20212025

Needs to better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to be costdefined.

Carbonsequestration.

DEP

Gardens on rooftops, verticalgardens / plant-walls.

20212025

Needs to better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to be costdefined.

Carbonsequestration.

DEP

Use green areas for cultivation,
outdoors activities, forestry
more than is being done atpresent, and make smaller the“dead areas”.

20212025

Needs to better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to be costdefined.

Carbonsequestration.

DEP

Increase the number of garden
growing plots at retirement
homes and schools. Everybody
to plant trees.

20212025

Needs to better definedand cost estimated.

Number ofgardengrowing plots.

Carbonsequestration.

DEP
WD*
DS&R**

Increase the bio-diversity ingreen areas.

20212025

Needs to better definedand cost estimated. Within
the framework of USK.

See goals in theaction programme
for bio-diversity.34

Carbonsequestration.

DEP

More declarations of protection
and increased naturepreservation with emphasis on
bio-diversified ecosystems thatsequester carbon - particularly
wetlands, birch woods, mudflats and seaweed beaches.

20212025

Insignificant costand may even open
up for access toadditional funding
from the state..35

Number ofdeclarations ofprotection.

Reducesemissions andcan act ascarbonsequestration.

DEP

ActionSchedule

Cost

Reclamation of 60% of
wetlands within the City of
Reykjavik before the year 2040.

20212025

Climate forests – establish
numbered goals for numberof trees per year (e.g.)
10,000 trees).

Guarantor

KOLEFNISBINDING* WD is short for City of Reykjavik Welfare Division** DS&R is short for City of Reykjavik Department of Schools and Recreation

33 The carbon farming of land use in Reykjavik, April 2020 https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/losun_ghl_vegna_
landnotkunar_i_reykjavik_environice_april_2020_endursk.pdf
34 BIODIVERSITY – CITY OF REYKJAVIK Action Plan for 2016-2026 https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/ ymis_skjol/skjol_utgefid_
efni/adgerdaaaetlun_um_liffraedilega_fjolbreytni_-_lokautgafa.pdf
35 SVÆÐISBUNDIN NÁTTÚRUVERND Í REYKJAVÍK, skýrsla birt á fundi umhverfis- og heilbrigðisráðs 30. september 2020 https://fundur.reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/agenda-items/us200337_-_stefnumotun_i_natturuvernd_-_samantekt_fyrir_
uh-rad_2020_utgafa_21._september.pdf

24

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Principal aims:

Adaptation to climate change
ActionSchedule

Cost

Success
measurement

Effect on GHG
emissions

Take flood control into
consideration in planningwith human-friendly andnauture based solutions.

20212025

Needs to be better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to becost defined.

Carbonsequestration
by vegetation.

DEP,
Veitur.

Change design premises
based on predictable climatechange.

20212025

Needs to be better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to becost defined.

None.

DEP
VeiturDecide the frame of reference
for acceptable risk – designpremises.

20212025

Needs to be better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to becost defined.

None.

DEP

Use blue-green surface water
solutions for new and older
districts.

20212025

Within the framework of USK.

Carbonsequestration
by vegetation.

DEP,
Veitur.

Planning must include
possible changes of locationof populated areas.

20212025

Part of the work on AR2040
and within the framework.

Needs to be
defined.

Depends on theapproach.

DEP

Risk analysis of climatechange and impact.

2022

Needs to be better definedand cost estimated.

Upgradeassessment.36

None.

DEP

Design in agreement withnature and community apply nature based solutions,
respect tolerance limits andcreate an area for public use.

20212025

Needs to be better definedand cost estimated.

Needs to becost defined.

Depends on theapproach.

DEP

Protection of nature areasthat are important for theadaptation to climate change,
in particular flood
installations in coastal areasand near rivers and lakes.

20212025

Need to define and cost
analyse in accordance with adeclaration of protection ofcoastal areas and wetlands
and areas that are importantfor carbon sequestration.

Part of nature
protection plan.

Carbonsequestration.

DEP

36 Risk assessment was made in September 2017: “Summary of the principal risk factors due to climate change in Reykjavik, ways toadjust and the state of affairs“ https://fundur.reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/agenda-items/loftslagsbreytingar_fskj.pdf

25

Guarantor

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Support action:

Change in attitudes and innovation
Success
measurement

Effect on GHG
emissions

Needs to be costestimated and defined.

Estimate completed.

Indirect impact.

20212025

Preparations andapplications within theframework of S&E .
Project to be started up
when grant obtained.

Number of innovation
projects.

Depends on the
projects.

Powerful marketing andpromotion effort about theactions taken by Reykjavik
City and B-sector enterprises
in climate matters.

2021

Needs to be costestimated and defined.

Knowledge of
the Reykjavik
residents of climate
affairs.

Indirect impact
because ofincreasedknowledge.

SBB*

Education on climate issues
in the Botanical garden

2021

Received a grant fromthe Climate Fund.

Number of participants in education.

Indirect impact
because of increased
knowledge.

DEP

Statistics for CO2 equivalent
for food and especiallyanimal products that are
consumed by the citizens.

2021

Part of the assessment of
the carbon footprint of
the City of Reykjavik andis within framework.

Carbon footprint offood products.

Indirect impact
DEPbecause ofincreased knowledge.

The city to organise theproduction of data
concerning emissions andchallenges and issue in anaccessible manner.
Changes between years to
be visible to the public.

2021

Is part of the work of thecity in climate affairs andwithin the framework of
DEP.

The issuing or
posting of data on
the web.

Indirect impact
because of increased
knowledge.

DEP

Information to tourists - that
Reykjavik advertises its goals
for tourists. Something cooland conspicuous inLækjartorg square.

20212025

There needs to be anassessment whether adesign contest shouldbe held.

Needs to be defined.

Indirect impact
because of increased
knowledge.

DEP

ActionSchedule

Cost

To undertake an assessmentof in which manner it is best
to support the cityadministration in the fightagainst the climate threat.

2021

Participation of the City inclimate-related innovationand research-projects.

* OMCAO is short for office of Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer

26

Guarantor
City
Council.

S&E

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Support action:

The operation of the City of Reykjavik to become carbon neutral
Effect on GHG
emissions

ActionSchedule

Cost

Success measurement

Guarantor

Carbon negative procurement to be
implemented at City of Reykjavik
in the context of sustainableprocurement that take additional
factor into consideration than only
the carbon footprint.

2022

Needs to be defined. Cost ispresumably insignificant, needs
consulting and education but
later becomes part of the workof the staff.

Work procedure formulated
and introduced regarding all
procurement by the City of
Reykjavik.

Could be significant
for indirectemissions.

Procurement
department.

The suppliers will be required toprovide information about theiremissions with respect to theirservices.

2022

Part of the work of the staff
regarding calls for tenders andprice inquiries but needs
perhaps education.

Quantity data information
about emissions fromsuppliers.

Indirect impact onemissions of the
suppliers.

Procurement
department.

The operation of the City of Reykjavik
to be carbon footprint offset as of theyear 2021.

2021

Needs to be cost estimated.

Projects for carbon offset to
be selected and thatpayment has been made.

Emissions from
Reykjavik City
operations 2019were 1,831 tonnes.

City Council

Objectives and actions on how to
reduce the emissions for the Cityof Reykjavik to be presented foreach area.

2022

Needs for education andfollow-up which is part ofhe job of the project forGreen-Steps and is within
the framework of DEP.

Expected emissions statedand how to reduce these.
Environmental indicators/
key figures to be developedin the statements from thespecial subject departments.

May be substantial.

OMCAO Office of Mayor
and Chief
Administrative
Officer

Carbon neutrality of the workplacesof the city of Reykjavik to besupported with new climate step.

2021

Part of the job of the project forGreen-Steps and is within theframework of DEP.

Climate step ready.

May be substantial.

DEP

The offices to have access to the data
for their success in environmental
matters, e.g. through the Manager
with the assistance of a data stream
from Agresso or Klappagátt.

2022

Part of FÁST work and within
their framework. Need probably
additional education.

Access to data become areality.

Indirect affect, may
have extensive
effect on emissions.

FÁST*

To be developed: comprehensive
financial statements for City of
Reykjavik as they appear in ESG, GRI
and SDGs.

2022

One of the functions of FÁST andwithin their framework.

Publication ofcomprehensive financial
statements.

Indirect impact.
May have the effectof encouragement tofurther great deeds.

FÁSTAll the workplaces of the City of
Reykjavik complete at least step 1 ofGreen steps.

2021

Is one of the main projects ofGreen steps and is within theframework of DEP.

All workplaces havecompleted step 1.

May be substantial.

DEP

Promote transportation agreements.

2023

Needs to be better elaborated
and cost estimated.

Percentage of those who use
active modes of travel to andfrom work at least 50% 2025.

Reduces emissions
because ofchanged travelmodes.

Human
resources
department.

Ensure that the staff at City of
Reykjavik get free access to electricbikes during work hours.

2021

Needs to be better elaborated
and cost estimated.

Needs to be moreelaborated on.

Reduces emissions
because of changed
travel modes.

Human
resources
department.

2021
Promote collaboration with theuniversities regarding research on theeffect of climate change(precipitation and rising sea levels).

Collaboration with universities ispart of the activities of the cityand is within the framework.

Needs to be moreelaborated on.

Indirect impact onemissions.

S&E

Food footprint to be established in
the canteens of the administrationbuildings.

2021

Becomes part of the next call for
tenders.

Food footprint established.

May reduce emissions
due to increased
knowledge.

Events arranged by the city of
Reykjavik and for the City of
Reykjavik to become“Green events “.

20212025

Within the framework of DEP.
Instructions are available at theGreen steps and it is possible toreceive education from them.
In the long run green events
will embody savings.

The percentage of green
events compared to events
in Reykjavik.

Reduces emissions,creation of waste andoverall environmental
impact.

MOF**

Climate action to be analysed fromthe viewpoint of gender aspects.

20212025

Part of a gender-based budget
is to increase education.

Number of analysed actions.

Indirect impact onemissions increases
knowledge.

KFS-***
group

S&E* FÁST is short for the financial and risk management department of the City of Reykjavik. ** MOF is short for the department of culture and tourism of the city of Reykjavik.
*** KFS group is a group for gender based financial and operational planning of the city of Reykjavik

27

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Future forecast – how can carbon neutrality be achieved?
In order to look into the future one needs to take note of the situation today and affect the future.
Presented here below are some possible scenarios in the direction of carbon neutrality. There it isobvious how important it is that everyone make a common effort and that all sectors of the economy
emphasise carbon neutrality.

Criteria:
Transport: The general zoning plan for Reykjavik until the year 2040 assumes that trips by private cars
will decline by 50% by 2030. This forecast assumes that emissions from transport will decline by 5%
annually until the year 2025 but then in 2030 they become half of what they were in 2019. If we set as
goal that all cars are free from the emission of GHG in 2040 the emission will be put at 0 for that year.
Energy: Reykjavik Energy-Orkuveita Reykjavíkur aims at carbon neutrality in 2030. That will affect theemission of GHG and it the forecast is that release from energy will have dropped to 0.
Waste: It is expected that when the Sorpa gas & composting plant will become fully operable thelandfill disposal of organic and combustible waste will stop. The goal is that emissions from landfill
disposals will have reached almost 0 by 2025.
Other emission factors: The Paris agreement has been interpreted in such way that in order to reachits goal emissions will need to be reduced by half from what they were in 2005. Emission figures from2005 are not available so that in this present context we need to use the latest figures on emissions
from 2019 and that emissions are cut by half from that time.
All other emission factors, agriculture, construction etc. are cut by half in the calculations for 2030
and it is assumed that agriculture and the construction industry will be carbon neutral by 2040.
tCO2EQ

628

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

94

tCO2EQ

526

tCO2EQ

414

ENERGYCONSUMPTIONWASTELANDUSE45

CHEMICAL PROCESSES& INDUSTRY

63

22

AGRICULTURE
ENERGY CONSUMPT

22

WASTE

54

54

8

FOOD PRODUCTION

tCO2EQ

4

LANDUSE45

CHEMICAL PROCESSES& INDUSTRY

63

384

AGRICULTURE
ENERGY CONSUMPT

22

45

WASTE

54

tCO2EQ

486
94

4
8
45

63

tCO2EQ

272

4

11

63
4

11
tCO2EQ

TRANSPORT

338

TRANSPORTtCO2EQ

202

338

31

169

261

31

2

2040

CARBONSEQUESTRATION
tCO2EQ

2025

2030

-20
2040

SINGULAR CARBON FOOTPRINT(acc. GHG Protocol for Cities)

tCO2EQ

20

2019

REGIONAL CARBON FOOTPRINT
in addition to value chain

28

2

169

169

0

2030

4

261

tCO2EQ

2025

253
47

338

261
169

2019

TRANSPORTtCO2EQ

11

Landnotkun
kolefnisbinding

0

2019

2025

2030

2040

REGIONAL CARBON FOOTPRINT
in addition to the value chain and the effect ofother activities within the city limitsClimate action plan 2021-2025

IMPLEMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL
To obtain carbon neutrality by 2040 is a huge project. At the outset it was assumed that anaction plan would have to be made for five years at a time. This action plan needs to be revisedby the end of 2025.
According to the instruction on an assessment of local communities’ carbon footprint they are“... advised to adopt the following procedure when reducing the emission of GHG:
1) Climate policy
2) Assessing the carbon footprint where emission and sequestration is assessed
3) Measurable goals including a financed and scheduled action plan based on
quantification and cost estimate of the actions.
4) The enforcement of the action plan including a periodical revision”37
The policy is clear, Reykjavik intends to be carbon neutral by 2040 and has had its carbon
footprint assessed over the past years. The measurable goals are found in the success in
reducing the release of greenhouse gasses. The assessment of emissions has up until now
been conducted every year as of and included 2020. The Department of Environment andPlanning is responsible for interacting with the international treaty between local communities
on climate issues: The Global Covenant of Mayors, and that climate accounting will be
submitted according to this treaty. The Finance Office is responsible for annual assessments ofemissions from the operations of the City of Reykjavik. It is assumed that supervision andfollow-up of a new action plan will be with a political steering group and then with a special
view to arrangements for the implementation of a gender-based budget for the City of
Reykjavik.

37 http://www.skipulag.is/media/pdf-skjol/Mat-a-kolefnisspori-a-skipulagsstigi.pdf

29

Climate action plan 2021-2025

References
City of Vancouver, 2019. Administrative report – Climate emergency response. City of Vancouver. Retrieved 5.5.2020
https://council.vancouver.ca/20190424/documents/cfsc1.pdf
City of Vancouver, 2019. Climate Emergency Response. City of Vancouver. Retrieved 5.5.2020 https://council.vancouver.
ca/20190424/documents/cfsc1presentation.pdf
EFLA, 2020a. Assessment of carbon footprint at the organisational level. First step towards carbon neutrality.
EFLA [Auth. Helga J. Bjarnadóttir & Sigurður Thorlacius.] Retrieved 8.3.2020 https://www.skipulag.is/media/pdf-skjol/
Mat-a-kolefnisspori-a-skipulagsstigi.pdf
EFLA. 2020b. Reykjavik City Climate Accounting 2019 r 2019. City of Reykjavik. Retrieved1.9.2020 https://reykjavik.is/sites/
default/files/loftlagsbokhald_reykjavikurborgar_2019_final_x.pdf
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2019. Completing the picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved9.3.2020 https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications/completing-thepicture-climate-change
Gallup, 2017. Travel habit survey among the residents of the Capital Area. October-November 2017. Gallup.
Retrieved 20.2.2020 https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/4027650_ferdavenjur_a_hofudborgarsvaedinu_040118.pdf
Gallup, 2019. Traffic survey 2018. Gallup. Retrieved 14.2.2020 https://cdn.gallup.is/media/documents/
umhverfiskonnun2018.pdf
Gallup, 2020. Traffic survey Gallup 2020. Gallup. Retrieved 20.5.2020 https://www.gallup.is/nidurstodur/frodleikur/
Hrafnhildur Bragadóttir & Birna S. Hallsdóttir, 2016. Guarantees of origin in an Icelandic context. The Report wascommissioned by the Ministry of Industries and Innovation. Environice. Retrieved 20.1.2020. https://www.
atvinnuvegaraduneyti.is/ media/2015/161018-Upprunaabyrgdir-i-islensku-samhengi.pdf
IPCC, 2018. “Summary for Policymakers.” In: Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global
warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context ofstrengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate
poverty [Masson-Delmotte, V. et al. (eds.)]. In Press. Retrieved 20.1.2020 https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
Climate Council, 2020. The Climate Council’s opinion on carbon neutrality. Government Offices Retrieved 1.7.2020
https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/02-Rit--skyrslur-og-skrar/Samantekt%20Loftslagsr%C3%A1% C3%B0s%20
um%20kolefnishlutleysi%20-%20Loka%C3%BAtg%C3%A1fa-%20Uppsett.pdf
Act on climate matters No. 70/2012. Retrieved 25.2.2020
https://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/2012070.html Mannvit, 2018. Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions inReykjavik 2017. Mannvit. Retrieved 15.3.2020.
https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/2017_losun_ghl_minnisblad_fra_mannviti.pdf
Orkustofnun-National Energy Authority, 2019. Standardised statement for the year 2019. Orkustofnun-National Energy
Authority. Retrieved 2.3.2020
https://orkustofnun.is/media/upprunaabyrgdir/OS-Stodlud-yfirlysing-2020-.pdf
City of Reykjavik & ALTA, 2017. Summary of the principal risk factors due to climate change in Reykjavik, ways toadapt and the present situation. City of Reykjavik. Retrieved 13.1.2020.
https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/ahaettuthaettir_ vegna_loftslagsbreytinga_i_reykjavik_-_skyrsla_0.pdf
City of Reykjavik, 2016. City of Reykjavik Climate Policy. City of Reykjavik.
https://reykjavik.is/sites/default/files/ loftslagsstefna_reykjavikurborgar_kolefnishlutleysi_2040_0.pdf
City of Reykjavik, 2020. The report of a working group on the electrification of ports and shore supply in the Faxaflóahafnir
port areas. City of Reykjavik. Retrieved 2.5.2020
https://www.faxafloahafnir.is/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Landtengingar-hafna-FFH- Apr%C3%ADl-2020.pdf
Icelandic Transport Authority, no year. Car numbers from the Icelandic Transport Authority. Icelandic Transport Authority.
Retrieved 1.2.2021 http://bifreidatolur.samgongustofa.is
Government Offices, June 2020. Climate Matters Action plan Actions by the Icelandic government to promote thecontraction of the release of greenhouse gasses until 2030. Retrieved 1.2.2021
https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/02-Rit--skyrslur-og-skrar/ Adgerdaaetlun%20i%20loftslagsmalum%20
onnur%20utgafa.pdf
The EAT-Lancet Commission, no year. “The Planetary Health Diet and You”. In: EAT Forum. EAT. Retrieved 12.5.2020
https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/the-planetary-health-diet-and-you/
The Environment Agency of Iceland, no year. The commitments of Iceland. The Environment Agency of Iceland,
Retrieved 15.2.2020 https://www.ust.is/loft/losun-grodurhusalofttegunda/skuldbindingar-islands/
VSÓ consulting, 2017. Capital Area 2040, Traffic forecast for 2030 for changes in regional planning.
Association of municipalities in the Capital area. Retrieved 30.1.2020
https://ssh.is/images/stories/Samgongumal/2017_ Greinagerd_Umferdarspa_2030_LOKA.pdf

Authors of photos
pg. 9 – Laugavegur: Juliette Rowland
pg. 18 – Hlemmtorg: DLD and Mandaworks
pg. 18 – Children running: Juliette Rowland
pg. 18 – Skólavörðustígur: Inga Rún Sigurðardóttir
pg. 29 – Þúfa: Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson

30

Climate action plan 2021-2025

GENDER EQUALITY EVALUATION OF THE CITY
OF REYKJAVIK CLIMATE POLICY 2021-2025
January 2021
The City of Reykjavik climate action plan which is operative until 2025 is going to beapproved, and this plan is a continuation of an earlier plan that was effective until the year
2020. The action plan is based on the work of a steering group as well as on consultation
with the public and with external stakeholders, and it is part of reaching the goal set by theCity of Reykjavik to become carbon neutral before the year 2040 and to adapt to climatechange in an environmentally sound and human friendly manner. The main objectives of theCity of Reykjavik climate policy are divided into six important issues; Walkable city, Energy
exchange, Health-promoting modes of travel, Circular thinking, Green structures and carbon
sequestration. In addition to these objectives there are three categories that need to be
directed toward all of the six main objectives; Adaptation to climate change, Awakening andinnovation and the operation of the City of Reykjavik.
An addendum to the policy includes a list of actions that come with a defined time table, costand expenses breakdown, success measurement and an underwriter. The City will need toundertake these actions in order to achieve the objectives of the climate policy.
Local communities are in a key position to succeed in actions against the danger that isthreatening us because of climate change. This key position consists in the power of theplanning authority held by local communities with respect to land use and transportation,e.g. the possibility to develop infrastructure for public transport, to create a walkableenvironment within the communities in order to reduce the use of cars etc. The situation thathas arisen in the world because of climate change is so serious that it cannot be ignored and
it is therefore necessary that local communities take such action that is available to them inorder to mitigate the harmful consequences of climate change.
In this connection it is important to take into account that climate change and actions
undertaken because of it, will just like other actions taken, have an unequal effect on different
groups of the society. Experience and research show that upheaval caused by climatechange has the most detrimental effect on the elderly, poor people and children. If this is putin the context of gender the women are a majority of older people, more women grapple
with poverty than men, and in addition women carry the main responsibility for childcare(European Institute for Gender Equality, 2012). It is also important to take note of theconsumer habits and travel behaviour which are different and it is therefore worth the effort
to note this gender-based difference in goal setting and performance measurement
methods. By taking note of gender and equality aspects in the action plan we are more likely
to be successful. This gender and equality evaluation seeks to elucidate the gender andequality effects that are connected with the climate policy.

Gender-based consumer habits
Car ownership by men is considerable higher than car ownership by women, and according
to figures from the year 2017 women are only registered as owners of 37% of passenger cars
(Lilja G. Karlsdóttir & Ásta Þorleifsdóttir, 2018; Reykjavik City, 2019). This applies both to car
ownership in general but also with respect to electric cars. However, women appear to be
proportionately more likely to own or to want to own an electric car as according to figuresfrom the Icelandic Transport Authority from the year 2020 the possessors of electric cars
(and part of electric cars) are 58% men and 42% women.
There are indications that women take care of waste sorting in the homes to a greater degree
than men (Reykjavik City, 2017). A certain gender-based division of labour appears however
to be present whereby men are to a greater degree handling the transporting of waste to the31Climate action plan 2021-2025

sorting centres while women handle the sorting inside the homes. An additional emphasison the sorting of waste will therefore probably have a greater impact on the behaviour of
women than on men, unless care is taken to communicate specifically with those groups thatare unlikely to sort waste.
According to research highly educated men who are highly paid are those who have thehighest carbon footprints and they are also the most unlikely to change their habits (Kronsell,2013). Women appear, according to Icelandic numbers, more likely to change their consumer
habits into a more environmentally friendly direction (Gallup, 2020c) and women are also
considerably more likely to become vegan than men if the replies to a survey taken by the
association of vegans at year end 2020 is to be taken seriously where 78% who replied
defined themselves as women (Lovísa Arnardóttir, 2020).

Gender-based travel habits
The travel habits of the genders are different. Foreign research shows that whereas men
generally travel longer distances but take fewer trips, the women take many short trips
during the day, in between errands that are connected with care taking and housework.
Research also shows that women use public transport to a higher degree than men and thatwomen are to a less degree the possessors of cars (European Institute for Gender Equality,2012). In Iceland the gender ratios in the use of public transport is more even and according
to figures from Strætó Bus from the year 2019 women were 55% of those who had a cardwith an ID number (Reykjavik City, 2019). It should be kept in mind that it is possible to use
various forms of payment in Strætó Bus and therefore it is not certain that the aggregate
gender-based statistics on the users is the same. According to statistics from the Director of
Health the proportion of those who use an active method of travel1 because of travel to workor to school, is higher in the summer than during the winter. However women are slightly
more likely than men to use an active method of travel during the winter (Director of Health,2020).
Approx. 19% of Reykjavik citizens claim by the end of 2020 that they use electric scooters tosome degree (Gallup, 2020b). Foreign research has also demonstrated that men are moreprobable than women to use micromobility modes of travel. Data in this country point in thesame direction, but men are more likely than women to use electric scooters and cycles totravel (Eyrún Atladóttir, 2020; Gallup, 2020b). Furthermore safe and good infrastructureappears to be very important regarding the use of cycles among women (Emond, et al.,2009).

Equal care giving and family responsibilities
When preparing the equality evaluation it is important to take note of what has been referred
to as the caregiving economy, or all the unpaid work that is linked to caregiving- and family
responsibilities and how this has a different effect on the experiences and habits of thegenders. It is known that women attend to domestic and caregiving work to a higher degree
than men. A Gallup environmental poll (2019, 2020c) showed a gender gap regarding how
worried people were with respect to climate change, as the level was higher among women.
Women carry generally speaking a higher portion of what is referred to as the mental load
and whereas they to a larger degree worry more about climate issues it then is likely that themental load that follows changing the behaviour and habits of the family and the spouse isplaced on the shoulders of women, i.e. if there is no systematic effort made to reach othergroups. Therefore it should be specifically studied when assessing actions according to theclimate policy, whether such actions have an impact on the caregiving and family
responsibilities of people, and how such impact is unevenly distributed between the genders
but other parameters should also be studied such as finances and class.

1

vAn active mode of travel is defined herein as cycling or walking three times or more per week to work or to school.

32

Climate action plan 2021-2025

Gender and innovation, attitude and education
Foreign studies have shown that peoples’ consumption and travel habits include a genderlinked dimension. That is to say, men eat meat to a higher degree than women and womenuse public transport relatively more than men who use a private car more than women do(European Institute for Gender Equality, 2012; Kronsell, 2013; Magnusdottir & Kronsell, 2015;
Raty & Carlsson-Kanyama, 2009; Sundström & McCright, 2014). There are however strong
indications that the carbon footprint of men is generally larger than that of women (Kronsell,
2013; Raty & Carlsson-Kanyama, 2009).
A similar pattern can be observed here in Iceland. As has been stated here above the resultsof the Gallup environmental poll that were published in 2020 show a difference between thegenders with respect to the opinion to climate change. It can be mentioned that women
replied more so than men that they were worried about the effect that climate change has onthemselves and their family and in addition they answered that they cared about climatechange to a greater degree than men did. At the same time a more positive attitude
emerged with respect to changing habits because of climate change among women (Gallup,
2020c). Furthermore, women are more probable to change their consumption habits, thesorting of waste, to buy eco-friendly products and to reduce meat consumption. Men on theother hand are more probable to look at technical solutions, such as electric cars (Kronsell,
2013; Raty & Carlsson-Kanyama, 2009).
It is important that technical solutions and innovation that aims at resisting climate changetakes into consideration the needs of different groups of people, as it has been pointed outthat innovation is a male oriented sector and takes more into consideration the needs of men(Elam et al., 2019; Grünfeld et all., 2020; Schulze, 2015). In the City’s innovation activities thatare linked to climate issues it is therefore important to look to diverse solutions, to rely on
gender-based data and to take actively into consideration gender and equality aspects.
As we know that men have less tendency to change their habits it becomes important thatwith an educational campaign that is linked to the actions of the climate policy it should bespecifically taken note of reaching them, i.a. by counteracting harmful macho ideas.

Epilogue
The information that has emerged indicates that there is full reason to take gender andequality aspects into consideration when actions regarding climate change are presented. Inorder to promote that the objective of the policy is attained then awareness of the genderlinked dimension of the society is an important factor for all further work on thequantification, cost assessment and schedule for the actions under the policy. The message
needs to reach all groups in society and it is therefore important to take a look at how it will
be possible to direct the message to certain groups. Furthermore, it is important that successmeasuring tools be always gender-based when possible. E.g. it must be ensured that
information about the use of different methods of travel are always gender-based in addition
to other volume data on service receivers.

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