Climate change as a result of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today. The GHG emissions from fossil fuels utilised to generate energy are a key factor in this. Landsvirkjun utilises renewable energy resources to generate electricity and the Company is committed to becoming carbon neutral. Landsvirkjun makes every effort to reduce the emission of any pollutants from its operations and operates in accordance with an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System. The system requires extensive monitoring on environmental aspects and detailed records on all emissions from the Company‘s operations.

Carbon neutral operations

The electricity generation process releases GHG emissions into the atmosphere. This can occur as a result of fossil fuels burnt to operate vehicles, machinery, and air travel, the incineration of waste, landfill and waste directly connected to the electricity generation process.

Total GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s operations in 2013.

The total quantity of GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s operations in 2013 was approx. 49 thousand tonnes CO₂ equivalent. This is 12% less than in 2012 and 20% less than in 2009.

The largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be traced to Landsvirkjun’s geothermal power stations and the reservoirs at the Company’s hydropower stations.

Greenhouse gas generation as a result of land being submerged

The GHG emissions issue is becoming increasingly important. Landsvirkjun’s environmental management system does not only consider internal factors but also analyses external factors such as climate change and the Company is required to show its progress in these areas.

The total quantity of GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s operations was 12% less than in 2012.

Emissions from geothermal stations

One of Landsvirkjun’s main objectives is the reduction of pollutants entering the environment. Geothermal fluid is extracted from boreholes, in high temperature areas, during the utilisation process. The fluid is composed of steam, water and different gases found in the steam. Geothermal gas is mostly composed of carbon dioxide and the concentration of it is dependent on the behaviour of the geothermal system it exists in. Measuring the concentration of these gases is therefore an important factor in monitoring the effects of utilisation.

Conceptual model for the source and flow of carbon dioxide from active volcanic, high temperature areas

The effect of geothermal utilisation in the Bjarnarflag area has been monitored for over 40 years. The data indicates that the current geothermal power stations will not have an effect on Mývatn. Furthermore, geothermal fluid discharge from the potential new power project at Bjarnarflag (which will be re-injected) is not expected to have any effect.

Carbon binding via land reclamation and re-forestation

Landsvirkjun has been involved in the extensive land reclamation and re-forestation of the areas surrounding their power stations for over forty years. The aim of land reclamation is to reinstate land quality, reduce disturbance to vegetated areas and stop soil erosion and vegetation destruction.

Landsvirkjun’s annual carbon binding is estimated to be 22,000 tonnes CO₂ eq per year. Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 22% between years.

An agreement was reached with Kolviður, in 2013, on the neutralisation of all carbon emissions as a result of Landsvirkjun’s use of petrol and diesel for transportation purposes, the international and domestic air travel of employees and finally the disposal of waste. These emissions were equal to approx. 1,027 tonnes of CO₂-eq and have now been neutralised via carbon binding in the forested areas of the country.

The amount of unsorted waste for disposal has decreased in accordance with Landsvirkjun’s new objectives on reducing unsorted waste from 70 tonnes in 2010 to 35 tonnes in 2013. The reduction in waste sent away for disposal between 2012 and 2013 was 24%.