Social Responsibility Statement

Our commitment

Súrefni kolefnisjöfnun is committed to demonstrating social responsibility in its work and in the conduct of its employees. Surefni’s social responsibility policy has three main pillars: climate action, responsible project management and public education.

Surefni’s role is to encourage informed discussion about the actions individuals and businesses take on sustainability, responsible carbon offsetting in society, and the creation and growth of responsible, sustainable projects that prevent or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful substances.

Climate action: on land and at sea

Examples of Surefni projects at various stages of development include forestry in Iceland, the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, wood recycling, and plastic collection and recycling.

These projects contribute to job creation in high-income and low-income countries around the world, to the scaling and growth of sustainable projects that enrich and improve society as a whole, and to international cooperation towards the Paris Agreement’s goals on global warming.

All projects from which Súrefni kolefnisjöfnun offers certified carbon credits, whether through brokerage, project management or the development of new projects, follow the underlying requirements of ISO 14064, the international standard for responsible carbon offsetting, and the requirements of ÍST TS 92, the Icelandic standard for responsible carbon offsetting in Iceland. These include, in particular, requirements for additionality, permanence, validation, verification and registration.

Furthermore, all carbon credits are certified by recognised certification bodies in accordance with ISO 14065 requirements, the best available data and carbon calculations. The principal types of credits shall be from CDM CER, VERRA-VCS, BioCarbon Registry, Gold Standard, CTX UN CER and ICR.

Responsible project management: personnel policy

The principal aim of Surefni’s personnel policy is for the company to employ capable, honest and environmentally minded people. The company’s employees have a high level of education, and the requirements placed on employees are high. Strong emphasis is also placed on opportunities for employees to be rewarded for good work, and all employees have the opportunity to acquire a stake in the company for work well done.

Surefni’s board is committed to considering employees’ abilities alone in recruitment. Recruitment decisions are made entirely without regard to gender, race or political views and are based solely on an individual’s ability to carry out the tasks reflected in their job description.

Surefni’s employees, board members and shareholders have ranged in age from 20 to 65, have included both women and men, and have come from three countries of origin.

Responsible project management: project selection

Projects are selected primarily to maximise the results of climate action. The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals are also considered during project development. Work is based on the latest research and scientific findings on climate change and the measures that have demonstrated their effectiveness in addressing global warming.

Public education: the website, marketing and applications

Súrefni kolefnisjöfnun maintains a comprehensive, informative website, www.surefni.is, intended to discuss responsible climate action in plain language and to introduce responsible carbon offsetting in Iceland. Emphasis is placed on enabling everyone, both businesses and individuals, to access information easily, while helping users reduce their own carbon footprint quickly and meaningfully.

Surefni regularly presents actions in the media and connects with key stakeholders and participants in Iceland’s climate action market.