E9 Climate Issue Supervision / Management

Reykjavik Energy Group's Executive Board of Directors reports climate risk issues to the Board of Directors.

In 2020, a concise project with the goal to develop a detailed plan for adapting its operations to climate issues was formalised. The first project phase of two has been concluded, where interdisciplinary teams within Reykjavik Energy Group mapped potential climate risks and established communication channels, both across the Group and with external stakeholders, to guarantee efficient flow of information.

Reykjavik Energy Group has identified and evaluated the severity of possible impact, due to climate change, on its operations and its appropriate responses. By focusing on the Group’s utilities systems, it has identified potential adjustments, needed to accommodate extreme precipitation, quick thaws, temperature changes, and rising sea levels. The water utilities monitor microbes in potable water in real time, in order to be able to respond accordingly, and to guarantee its quality. The district heating utilities evaluate future demand for hot water and seek out new ways to increase usage efficiency in order to increase delivery reliability. Sewerage utilities monitor sea levels and extreme precipitation forecasts for planning purposes. Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SuDS) are used to channel and filter rainwater from roads before it flows into rivers and lakes. This also boosts biodiversity and enhances the urban environment.

These projects are both mitigation measures and adaption, due to climate crisis. Veitur Utilities is responsible for the project's implementation, in collaboration with municipalities.