Increased visibility and transparency in environmental and sustainability matters

First Icelandic municipality to enter into an agreement with Laufið

The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has entered into a partnership agreement with The leaf, the first green Icelandic information provider. The contract is valid for six months and includes access to Laufsins' software and analyses, as well as the involvement of Laufsins' sustainability consultants in education, implementation and advice on sustainability. Also mapping the situation of the municipality's institutions and schools. In parallel, the City of Hafnarfjörður agrees to provide Laufið with premises for promotional meetings with interested local businesses that wish to emphasise sustainable development in their operations and transparently share information about sustainability for their own and others' benefit. Environmental issues and sustainability are a collaborative effort for the entire community.

^{Guðbjörg Oddný Jónsdóttir, Chair of the Environment and Operations Committee of Hafnarfjörður, and Vala Smáradóttir, Product and Development Manager at Laufið, signed a cooperation agreement.}

Sustainable development is the guiding principle for planning, construction and activities within the town's area.

One of the main objectives in Hafnarfjörður's comprehensive strategy for 2025 is an environmentally friendly community which includes, among other things, the sustainable use of energy and resources, an eco-friendly lifestyle and transport, the minimisation of greenhouse gas emissions and the circular economy. The main objectives are linked to the United Nations' global goals and are directly related The town's environmental and resource policy which was adopted in 2018. Hafnarfjörður municipality, through all its actions and green initiatives, aims to be at the forefront of municipalities in Iceland in sustainability and the protection of nature and resources. The aim is to have sustainable development as a guiding principle in the planning, construction and activities within the town's area.

^{A group of representatives from the City of Hafnarfjörður and Laufið at the signing of an agreement. Vala Smáradóttir, Guðmundur Elíasson, Árni Rúnar Árnason, Bjarki Pétursson and Guðbjörg Oddný Jónsdóttir.}

The first green information provider

The leaf is a practical toolkit whose important purpose is to promote and encourage the sustainable development of public institutions and companies. The aim is to empower consumers and enable them to make informed decisions about their consumption based on how well organisations and companies are performing in sustainability and social responsibility. The Leaf is divided into five leaves and green steps, which are linked to, among other things, the Sustainable Development Goals. Each leaf contains clear and measurable actions:

Waste sorting – sorting waste responsibly

• Environmental policy – a clear environmental policy, formulated by staff, presented to stakeholders and published on leaf.is
• Knowledge Sharing – a short online course by Laufurinn
• Climate impact – greenhouse gas emissions calculated and a reduction plan presented
• Circular Economy – Shaping a procurement strategy with a focus on used over new

The Green Steps are 118 in total and are tailored to the different needs of customers. The Green Steps include ideas for environmental measures, both large and small, and are divided into categories such as canteens, procurement and energy saving. The information that companies enter on Laufsins website appears in a search engine on www.laufid.is which makes Laufið the first green Icelandic information provider. The development and problem-solving of Laufið has taken just over two years, and the project has been carried out in close cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment and the Environmental Agency.