Success That Matters
Renewable energy is key to fighting climate change. A good example of that is Landsvirkjun’s success in minimising greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. The Company’s carbon footprint was only 1.2 gramme of carbon dioxide equivalents per kilowatt hour, which is exceptionally low, even when compared to emissions from renewable energy generation elsewhere in the world.
Thus, avoided emissions were approximately 3.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2021. Avoided emissions are emissions that are averted when the customer chooses electricity generated by Landsvirkjun’s rather than electricity generated in mainland Europe, this number would double if the frame of reference were the whole world.
And this makes a difference. Landsvirkjun’s electricity generation is an especially valuable contribution to the fight against climate change. And we intend to do even better, as Landsvirkjun’s operations will be carbon neutral in 2025, in accordance with our Climate Action Plan. The target will be reached by avoiding new emissions, reducing the current level of emissions, and implementing countermeasures.
Climate issues are energy issues. The international goal to keep global warming within the 1.5°C compared to the beginning of the industrial revolution, invariably entails increasing environmentally safe and renewable energy generation, instead of using fossil fuels. And we Icelanders must do our share.
Climate issues are an inseparable part of sustainable development. Our vision is “a sustainable world, powered by renewable energy”, and our role is to “maximise the utilisation of the renewable energy resources the Company is entrusted with”. Therefore, we want to participate in accelerating the world forward to increased sustainability and we want to it done correctly and with utmost care. Hopefully, our efforts will be successful.