Ambitious goals and a will to take environmental issues firmly in hand

Environmental and
The City of Hafnarfjörður's resource policy was approved by the city council on 25 April. Since then
The Environmental and Planning Service of the City of Hafnarfjörður has been working on an analysis.
on the tasks that are in the action plan of the strategy. Environmental and
The Executive Council proposed at its meeting in November that a public meeting be called at the beginning of the new year where
the environmental and resource policy of Hafnarfjörður will be presented. With the environmental and resource policy, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður seeks
taking firm hold of the council's environmental affairs and setting itself
ambitious goals, as well as encouraging residents to do the same.

See the Environmental and Resource Policy of Hafnarfjörður

A policy that needs to be taken
due regard in all the activities of the municipality

The aim of the policy is to ensure all residents of Hafnarfjörður
a healthy and safe environment for life, play and work and shall take into account
hers in all the activities of the municipality. The municipality aims to
to be at the forefront of sustainability and environmental issues, reduce emissions
greenhouse gases and waste generation. Emphasis is placed on sustainable use
and the protection of nature, resources and cultural heritage. Pollution is kept to a minimum and
that environmental monitoring is active. Public transport will be strengthened and the share of cycling and
continuously improved. Environmental education will be exemplary and access to
information will be made handy and easily utilised. It will also be aimed at achieving a good and
equal access for all groups in society to outdoor activities and recreation.

Resources, nature and
Cultural heritage

The aim is for the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður to be at the forefront.
municipalities in Iceland in the protection of nature, resources and cultural heritage.
The municipality shall be guided by the principle of safeguarding the quality of the natural environment.
and to support, as far as possible, adequate research and information on
decisions that affect it. The ideology of sustainable development shall be upheld.
as a guiding principle for the planning, implementation and activities within the town's area.

Pollution Prevention and Environmental Monitoring

Every effort will be made to prevent any kind of pollution and
to reduce it as much as possible. Air quality will be monitored regularly,
pollution of the sea off the coasts, in streams, lakes and groundwater, as well as vegetation and
soil. Noise measurements will be made at major traffic routes and where there is cause
exists. The results of the environmental monitoring will be published as soon as possible by
in an accessible manner. The municipality actively promotes that
A company in Hafnarfjörður should practise active environmental management and apply the best available technology.
at the pollution control.

Consumption and waste

The aim should be to reduce the generation of waste and encourage
will lead to increased sorting of waste and recycling. A significant reduction shall be made
from the use of plastic, such as single-use tableware, plastic bags and single-use plastic containers.
-The procurement of the municipality and its subcontractors will be environmentally friendly. Aiming
must also reduce food waste. The municipality is committed to
Serving residents and businesses with efficient rubbish collection that contributes to an improved
raw material utilisation.

Transport and planning

In transport, the aim is to increase the proportion of people walking and cycling.
and public transport users and this will be taken into account when making
master plans, detailed plans and transport infrastructure. In the town's planning
Emphasis will be placed on outdoor and recreational areas. Increasingly, measures will be taken
Requirements for special drawings for plots adjacent to blocks of flats and public buildings.

Environmental education

Access for town residents to information on environmental issues, in
The town's immediate surroundings and land must be exemplary. Special emphasis
to support nursery and primary school provision with appropriate infrastructure and
training for school staff.

Outdoor activities and
Healthy lifestyle

To ensure good access for all residents to outdoor recreational areas.,
both within and outside the town limits, and residents are encouraged to get out into the great outdoors all year round.
The City of Hafnarfjörður shall promote the development of rest areas and walking routes in
the countryside and provide easy access to outdoor recreational areas for walkers, cyclists and
to be developed in accordance with the town's master plan and transport policy.