Residents influence environmental and resource policy
We, the residents of Hafnarfjörður, have the opportunity to influence the updated environmental and resource policy. Ideas and comments can be submitted until 27 January.
Working towards new goals
„Hafnarfjörður is a town for all of us, and it is therefore important that residents are given the opportunity to contribute. Perhaps residents have good ideas that we should put into practice,“ says Guðmundur Elíasson, Environmental and Utilities Manager for the City of Hafnarfjörður and one of the authors of the city's updated environmental and resource policy.
A portal for ideas and comments has been opened on the 'Better Hafnarfjörður' website. Residents are encouraged to have their say by 27 January. The authors of the report are Gudbjorg Oddny Jónasdóttir, chairperson, Helga Björg Loftsdóttir, Jón Atli Magnússon, Hildur Rós Guðbjargardóttir, Íris Lind Sæmundsdóttir, Ragna Halldórsdóttir and Gudmundur.
The aim of the environmental policy is to ensure all residents of the Borough of Hafnarfjörður a healthy and safe environment for living, playing and working. It is to be taken into account in all activities of the municipality.
„The changes clarify where the responsibility for its implementation lies,“ he says. The updated policy is also now in line with the situation in the municipality today.
„So, the climate policy has now become part of the environment and resource policy. That is the biggest change from the previous policy,“ says Gudmundur.
What was achieved by the last policy?
- Snow ploughing, street sweeping and gritting were improved.
- The emphasis on public transport was increased and pedestrian and cycle paths were increased.
- Hafnarfjörður now carbon-offsets its operations in collaboration with Kolvið.
- The aim was for the state of Hellisgerði to be exemplary on the 100th anniversary of the public referendum that went ahead.
- Electric charging infrastructure at municipal facilities was installed, and the expansion of charging stations in the municipality was promoted.
Guðmundur points out that in the updated policy, an action list with over thirty items can be found at the bottom of the document, divided into areas. „This makes it easier for area managers to follow up on the tasks that fall under them.“
He says it is necessary to update policies regularly. „They have to be living documents, reviewed.“
It is expected that the policy will accelerate the necessary actions. „I envisage the policy being reviewed every two to three years at divisional directors“ meetings, where progress will be reported and how the directors have succeeded in ensuring projects are implemented."
In developing the environmental and resource policy, reference was made to the overarching strategy of the City of Hafnarfjörður, which was adopted on 6 April 2022, and to the United Nations' Global Goals.