Landsvirkjun works systematically to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and we work hard to fully understand the impact of our operations on nature and society.
One aspect of this is monitoring utilisation and the potential impact of operations. The Company's green accounts show the results of monitoring in 2018 and a comparison with previous years.
The year’s carbon footprint can be seen below and we encourage readers to view all the results of the report (accessed at the bottom of the page).
Direct emissions from Landsvirkjun's electricity generation have decreased by 26% over the past 10 years
Emissions from the Company’s operations are calculated according to the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Emissions are divided into three categories, depending on where they occur in the value chain. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from the Company's operations, Scopes 2 and 3 cover indirect emissions that arise from products and services purchased by Landsvirkjun and from the transmission of electricity to customers.
Carbon sequestration measures are disclosed separately and used in the calculation of our carbon footprint. The release of organic CO2 from reservoirs and the consumption of biofuels are specified separately.
Emissions by Scope
The Figure below shows the various categories used to calculate emissions by Scope.
Carbon footprint 2018
Landsvirkjun’s net carbon footprint in 2018 was approx. 28 thousand tonnes CO2 –eq which is equal to 1.94g CO2 eq/KWh.
Landsvirkjun‘s total GHG emissions in 2018 amounted to 53, 000 tonnes CO2 –eq. Organic CO2 emissions from reservoirs amounted to 6.5 thousand tonnes.
Landsvirkjun’s carbon footprint = total GHG emissions + organic
CO2 emissions from reservoirs -carbon sequestration
Landsvirkjun’s geothermal power stations produce 77% of the Company’s GHG emissions. The reservoirs at the Company’s hydropower stations account for 14%. Landsvirkjun works in cooperation with Kolviður to implement carbon sequestration measures that offset fossil fuel consumption, landfill waste and employee air travel. Total sequestration measures offset 53% of emission from operations.
Landsvirkjun Carbon footprint 2018
We divided emissions according to where they occurred within the value chain and found that almost 49 thousand tonnes of CO2 eq or 93% of total emissions occur in Scope 1, which can be attributed to direct emissions from the Company's operations. Emissions resulting from goods and services purchased by Landsvirkjun and the transmission of electricity to customers in Scopes 2 and 3 amounted to approx. 4 thousand tonnes of CO2 eq.
Emissions divided between scopes
Scope 1 – direct emissions
Direct emissions from Landsvirkjun's operations amounted to almost 49 thousand tonnes CO2 eq (mostly geothermal).
The Krafla Geothermal Station produces 80% of the Company’s geothermal emissions. Total emissions from geothermal power stations amounted to 41 thousand tonnes CO2 eq. The increase can be attributed to increased production at Þeistareykir.
Vegetation and soil are submerged when a reservoir is filled. The decomposition of organic materials results in the release of greenhouse gases. The emission levels of GHG emissions from reservoirs can vary, but the most significant factor is the total amount of vegetation and organic matter initially submerged, time elapsed since construction and the number of ice-free days per year.
The estimated total GHG emissions from Landsvirkjun’s hydropower reservoirs in 2018 were over 7,400 tonnes CO2 eq.
Landsvirkjun’s total emissions from fuel consumption in 2018 amounted to 640 tonnes CO2 -eq. The average vehicle emits 4.3 tonnes CO2 -eq per year which is a 20% decrease since 2014.
Division of Scope 1 emissions
Scopes 2 and 3 – indirect emissions
The Figure above shows Landsvirkjun’s indirect emissions or emissions that occur within the value chain.
These emissions amounted to 4 thousand tonnes CO2 -eq or approx. 7% of total emissions. The greatest quantity of emissions in Scope 3 was directly attributed to air travel, purchasing and fertiliser production.
Carbon sequestration
Landsvirkjun actively supports carbon sequestration with various re-forestation and land-reclamation projects. Sequestration measures amounted to nearly 31,300 tonnes CO2 -eq in 2018, 90% of which was due to land-reclamation.
Carbon sequestration has increased by 9% since 2017.
Organic CO2 emissions
Organic CO2 emissions from reservoirs and the consumption of biodiesel amounted to 6,500 tonnes in 2018.
CH4 and N2O emissions from reservoirs and the consumption of biodiesel are categorised as direct emissions (Scope 1) whereas CO2 emissions are considered natural carbon emissions and is therefore not included in calculations on total emissions. The organic CO2 emissions are accounted for separately and included in calculations on the Company‘s carbon footprint.
No environmental incidents this year
Operations without environmental incidents
One of Landsvirkjun’s objectives is to operate without environmental incident.
Incidents have varied between years but there were no environmental incidents during Landsvirkjun’s operations in 2018. However, one of our contractors recorded a hydraulic leak during construction.
Green accounts
Here you can download Landsvirkjun's Green accounts for 2018.