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European Green Capital Application 2012–2013 Reykjavík, Iceland European Green Capital Application 2012–2013 Reykjavík, Iceland NATURALLY URBAN European Green Capital Application 2012-2013 Reykjavík, Iceland European Green Capital Application 2012-2013 Reykjavík, Iceland Award year Award year: Either 2012 or 2013 Municipality Name: Reykjavík City Country: Iceland Size: 275 km2 Number of inhabitants: 119.848 citizens Mayor: Hanna Birna Kristjánsdótt ir Contact info Contact person: Eygerður Margrétardótt ir, Department of Environment and Transport Telephone: +354 4 11 11 11 E-mail: eygerdur.margretardott [email protected] City of Reykjavík NATURALLY URBAN 2 European Green Capital Application 2012-2013 Reykjavík, Iceland 1 Local Contribution to Global Climate Change 1.1 The present situation and developments over the last fi ve to ten years 1.2 Measures implemented over the past fi ve to ten years to reduce GHG gas emissions, including resources allocated to implementing these measures 1.3 Short and long term objectives for reduction of GHG emissions, including measures adopted, but not yet implemented, and budgets for future measures already adopted 1.4 Documents, websites and documented decisions 1.5 Disadvantages resulting from historical and/or geographical factors City of Reykjavík NATURALLY URBAN 3 1 Local Contribution to Global Climate Change European Green Capital Application 2012-2013 Reykjavík, Iceland 1.1 The present situation and developments over The policy is implemented via the Green Steps for ber of automobiles in Reykjavík to measure carbon diox- the last fi ve to ten years Reykjavík, a yearly, updated plan of implementation for ide (CO2) emissions. By statistically evaluating changes of the city‘s environmental issues, which are worked on this size, development of GHG emissions from transport The City of Reykjavík has set the goal of reducing in connection with the work schedule and budget of in Reykjavík was assessed. Calculations have been made emission of green house gases (GHG), from the activities the City of Reykjavík (se appendix 2). In 2007, the Green for the period from 1999, and for comparison emission in the city to the operation of the city itself. Excellent Steps focused on climate strategy to reduce emissions levels have been estimated for the period since 1990. results have been achieved in sustainable use of renew- of greenhouse gases, and 2010 a special focus will be on The calculations for 1990 are, however, based on slightly able energy sources, hydro- and geothermal energy, so climate issues. This focus has been highlighted even fur- diff ering principles and are therefore not comparable. that GHG due to energy use and heat is negligible. Intra- ther with the decision of the executive committee of the Emissions for the year 1990, have not been estimated city transportation is the main source of emissions and city council of Reykjavík in May 2010 that the city should further since it was preferred to analyse as close to cur- the city has actively worked toward reducing the overall become the instigator in climate conventions for the rent emission as possible and form plans for the city in demand for transport, promoting less environmentally municipalities Covenant of Mayors. With conventions relation to those emission values. The results from this damaging modes of transport and reducing individual municipalities are obligated to reduce GHG emissions by estimation show that total CO2 emissions from transport motorised transport. more than 20% by 2020. have raised by 40% since 1999 (see fi gure 1.1, 1.2 and table 1.1). Commitments of Reykjavík City The fi rst obligations for climate issues can be retraced to 1997 when Reykjavík became a member to the Aalborg On the 1st of September 2009, the Reykjavík Climate and 300.000 Charter in 1997, and formally ratifi ed the Aalborg Com- Air Quality Policy were approved, under the title: The mitments +10 in 2005. One of the commitments, no. 10, 250.000 future is in the air. A decision was made to include issues focuses on climate issues and is the cornerstone for the of air quality in the city, as many contributory factors are 200.000 climate polices pursued by the City authorities. It can common to both climate and air quality, and require the also be noted that the current version of Local Agenda 150.000 same mitigating measures. The City’s policy stipulates 21, approved in 2006, addresses the principal source of the overall emission of greenhouse gases to be reduced 100.000 greenhouse gas emissions in Reykjavík, i.e. transport. by 35% by 2020 and by 73% by 2050, compared to 2007 50.000 emission levels. The policy covers six fi elds concerned GHG emission in Reykjavík 0 with climate issues: 1990 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Since 2002 the City of Reykjavík has estimated green- • Carbon sequestration, house gas (GHG) emissions from private vehicles and Figure 1.1 • Transport, public transport, as part of its programme of Reykjavík Estimated total CO2 emissions from transport in Reykjavík, 1990, 1999-2007. Emission from public transport (yellow), • Waste, Environmental Indicators (to monitor progress and to petrol cars (blue), diesel oil cars (red). • Green operations, encourage knowledge-based decision making, see • Industry and agriculture and appendix 3). The methodology is built on using data on • Urban planning. average driving, fuel consumption and the average num- City of Reykjavík NATURALLY URBAN 4 1 Local Contribution to Global Climate Change European Green Capital Application 2012-2013 Reykjavík, Iceland Table 1.1 Parallel to the formation of the Reykjavík Climate and A. Total CO2 equivalent per capita, including Estimated total CO2 emissions from transport in Reykjavík Air Quality Policy, an overall analysis of GHG emissions emissions resulting from use of electricity 1990, 1999 and 2006-2007. within the city was carried out, by assessing the emission Total emissions in Reykjavík amounted to 334.550 for one year, i.e. 2007, following the IPCC guidelines. tonnes CO2-eq in 2007, or about 3 tonnes per capita, Emissions were counted from vehicle transport (both pri- CO2 emissions 1999- 2005- which is not particularly high, in view of the national in tonnes 1990 1999 2006 2007 2007 2007 vate and commercial), industry, aviation and navigation (%) (%) average of about 15,3 tonnes in 2008. Emission levels (fi shing vessels and cruisers) all within Reykjavík. Data on Petrol 150.145 151.836 193.368 200.991 32,4% 5,9% vary somewhat between categories: 69% of GHG Private emissions from various sources is based on models for Diesel emissions in the city were attributable to motor traffi c cars 11.902 26.947 46.004 55.385 105,5% 33,4% the Reykjavík municipality, such as a transport model. oil while the second-largest factor was waste disposal, Buses Diesel GHG are considered CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous 6.955 8.723 6.535 5.476 -37,2% -27,9% 22% (included in the business category). Electricity is oil oxide (N O) as other emissions are considered negligible. 2 generated from hydro and geothermal sources and all Total 169.002 187.506 245.907 261.853 39,7% 9,6% The methodology is similar to the CO Calculator (Danish 2 buildings are in a way heated by sustainable geothermal National Environmental Research Institute, Local Govern- energy. Origins of emissions are shown in more detail in ment Denmark and COWI) and targets all GHG point of table 1.2. generation emissions within the city borders regardless of the origin. The “emission values available” are in rela- B. CO2 per capita resulting from use of tion to that emission estimation for the year 2007, and it should be pointed out that considerable change has natural gas taken place since then, i.e. concerning more environ- Natural gas is not used in Reykjavík outside of isolated mentally friendly modes of transport in the city. use in food preparation. Table 1.2 No. Categories Amount of Emission of Climate Air Origins of GHG emissions. CO2-eq GHG (%) quality 1 Carbon sequestration 5.035 X 2 Waste 74.000 22% X X 3 Motor transport 235.600 69% X X 4 Constructions X 5 External air pollution X 6 Environmentally friendly X X management Figure 1.2 7 Planning X X Number of newly registered private cars in Reykjavík, 8 Industry and agriculture 19.746 6% X X 1999-2007. Petrol cars (blue), diesel oil cars (yellow). 9 Other – flight, fishery and ship 10.240 3% X X transport Total 334.551 100% City of Reykjavík NATURALLY URBAN 5 1 Local Contribution to Global Climate Change European Green Capital Application 2012-2013 Reykjavík, Iceland C. CO2 per capita resulting from transport E. District heating GHG emissions from cars (private and commercial) All citizens are connected to district heating originating amounted to about 2 tonnes per capita (total 236.000 from geothermal energy. This energy is used in multiple tonnes) in 2007. ways that contribute greatly to improved environmen- tal performance, public health and quality of life in the D. Gram of CO2 per kWh used world’s northernmost capital. It is in a way used for central heating in all houses in Reykjavík and has totally Figure 1a.3 All electric power and space heating in Reykjavík derive replaced coal and oil as a source of energy for heating Energy production from 1940 to 2008. from renewable energy sources; this ratio is around 99% of homes. The geothermal hot water from the low- of the electricity and around 98% for space heating in temperature geothermal areas is passed directly into the Iceland. About 82% of all primary energy use in Iceland distribution systems as the high-temperature geother- derives from sustainable domestic energy sources. Most mal areas is used to warm up cold groundwater.
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