Minister of Agriculture Einar K. Gudfinnsson and the director of the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCS) Sveinn Runólfssson planted the first trees of a new forest for offsetting CO2 in Geitasandur, south Iceland, yesterday.
The tree planting marks the first phase of the Iceland Carbon Fund project (Kolvidur) launched this spring. Its aim is to have companies and individuals plant trees to offset their CO2 emissions.
People can calculate their CO2 emissions on the project’s website and buy trees to make up for them. The Iceland Carbon Fund takes care of planting the trees, Fréttabladid reports.
“We celebrate this phase and this was a big day in the history of Kolvidur,” said Soffía Waag Árnadóttir, the managing director of the Iceland Carbon Fund. “We plan to plant 50,000 trees in this first phase and we have already bought nearly 70,000 plants.”
Six different tree varieties of trees will be planted in Geitasandur, which according to Árnadóttir, will increase its value as an outdoor recreation area.
The Icelandic Forestry Association and SCS are the organizers of the Iceland Carbon Fund, which is supported by the Icelandic Government, Reykjavík Energy Company (OR) and Kaupthing Bank.
The Forestry Association of Rangá County is responsible for the tree planting in Geitasandur.
The airline Iceland Express has reached an agreement with the Iceland Carbon Fund regarding its passengers being able to offset their CO2 emissions as soon as they buy their tickets. This service will be available from today.
“It is our pleasure to assist our passengers in offsetting their CO2 emissions while traveling with Iceland Express,” said the airline’s CEO Matthías Imsland, adding there had been an awakening in society of the importance of working against climate change.
Those who travel with Iceland Express and wish to offset their CO2 emissions, pay ISK 172 to 346 (USD 2.72 to 5.47, EUR 2.04 to 4.10) additionally to the price of their ticket.
Click here to read about Baugur Group offsetting its CO2 emissions.
