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The shipping industry needs to transition towards new fuels and technologies to reduce its environmental impact. A promising option is using hydrogen fuel cells. However, the technology is relatively new and not commercially available at a large scale. This study focuses on the Nordic shipping industry where the first commercial vessels are expected to be launched. Interviews were conducted with high-level managers to identify the factors that influence the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. Sixteen factors are identified as motivating the decision and are categorized as internal, connecting, and external drivers. The most relevant are environmental commitments, customer expectations, and policies and regulations. Eleven factors are identified as limiting the decision and are categorized as behavioral, economic, organizational, and technological barriers. The most significant are high costs, lack of infrastructure, and operational challenges. The drivers and barriers are categorized as company-specific, industry-specific, and technology-specific. [Display omitted] • Nordic shipping companies are front-runners in the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. • Pilot and demonstration projects are testing hydrogen fuel cells for shipping. • A variety of drivers and barriers affect the decision of using hydrogen fuel cells. • Policymakers should address these factors to boost the use of hydrogen fuel cells. • Industry specific and technology specific barriers require policy intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a bridging point between the old, neoclassical, growth-based model of the economy and newer, emerging paradigms, such as the well-being economy. The importance of growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is recognized within the SDGs, however, in addition, Target 19 of Goal 17 advocates the adoption of alternative measures of economic well-being. The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) has been found to be the indicator of alternative economic well-being most aligned with the SDGs. On the basis that increased, high-quality energy use leads to expanded macro-economic activity, as measured by GDP, this study conducts a conceptual exploration of the extent to which the pursuit of sustainable energy development (SED) can enhance GPI outcomes. Based on a recent Icelandic GPI study, a total of 46 SED themes were found to be linkable to 16 of its 39 sub-indicators, including 8 cost deductions and 7 benefit additions. The frequency of these was as follows: sustainable energy production (10), sustainable energy consumption (10), energy security (8), nature conservation (8), social benefits (7) and economically efficient energy system (3). The main implication of the study outcomes is that the pursuit of SED is likely to have considerable benefits in terms of fulfilling energy and climate policy, but also co-benefits with regard to the promulgation of economic and societal well-being, as reflected in the GPI. These outcomes, although applicable to Iceland, have ramifications for all nations who are simultaneously striving for greater economic prosperity, whilst tackling climate change and striving to deliver equitable, environmentally sound and resilient energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first study in the academic literature to explore the various stages in the formation of geothermal ES and their interactions between the biosphere and anthroposphere. This is achieved through the development of the first ES cascade model in the academic literature specific to geothermal ES, which integrates the four main stages of co-production: value attribution, mobilisation of ES potential, value appropriation, and commercialisation. In so doing, conceptual understanding of human-environment relationships and processes in the context of geothermal ES are deepened. Examples from the academic and grey literature demonstrate that realisation of the full spectrum of benefits from geothermal areas often demands the mobilisation of various forms of physical capital. Reaping the benefits of provisioning ES, such as heat and minerals, or formal recreational experiences, such as geothermal spas, necessitates human interventions. Opportunities of likely value have to be attributed, with resources being mobilised in order to plan and research prospectivity, then benefits appropriated with a view to their commercialisation. Large-scale, industrial projects, especially geothermal power plants in high enthalpy fields, also constitute an overlap between anthropogenic and ecological systems, often leading to ES trade-offs, especially due to visual and noise impacts on the surroundings. Depending on the sociocultural context, multiple and conflicting value domains may be impacted by such ventures, justifying the adoption of a pluralist approach to valuation and use of integrated decision-support platforms to aid decision-makers. • First CICES classification of geothermal ecosystem services. • Four co-production stages: attribution, mobilisation, appropriation and commercialisation. • Benefits include formal recreational experiences and provisioned minerals. • Impacts from commercialisation include noise and visual effects. • Impacts to multiple value domains imply need for value pluralism in decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles are considered a potential solution to reduce emissions in freight transport and increase energy security. However, battery-electric trucks are not a one-fits-all solution due to current battery technology limitations and vast diversity in freight operations and vehicle categories. Although the literature available in electric truck feasibility provides an insightful overview of their potential, it does not fully cover the performance variations under adverse climate and technical conditions. This paper attempts to fill the gap in the literature by quantifying the impact of low temperatures, headwind, variable payload, and tail-lift use over different freight vehicles from a case study fleet in Iceland. NREL's FASTSim is the vehicle energy consumption model used for the analysis. The study also addresses on-route fast-charging, considering realistic non-linear charging rates and performance in low temperatures. The results showed that the range of the analyzed vehicles can experience a decrease of 41–47% under unfavorable conditions, compared to the estimated range under ideal conditions. Short-haul routes could be electrified even under the most challenging conditions, while regional routes might require some planification adjustments to reach 100% route electrification in tough conditions. On-route charging would be necessary to achieve full fleet electrification. In tough conditions, sprinter vans met 49% (85% with charging) of the analyzed routes, while trucks met 83% (90% with charging). The outcomes of this research support several UN Sustainable Development Goals (3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13), and could be used to develop specific measures within the Icelandic 2020 Climate Action Plan. The methodology used is feasibly replicable for teams who wish to perform a similar analysis in different contexts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decision-making and policy formation context in Iceland has been largely devoid of total economic valuations in cost-benefit assessments. Using an internet survey and applying the double bounded dichotomous choice methodology, this contingent valuation study sets out an estimate of the total economic value pertaining to Heiðmörk, a popular recreational area of urban open space located on the fringes of Reykjavík, Garðabær and Kópavogur. In so doing, this case study advances the practice of using non-market valuation techniques in the country. The welfare estimates provide evidence that Icelanders consider Heiðmörk to possess considerable total economic value, with taxpayers willing to pay a mean lump-sum tax in the range 17,039 to 24,790 ISK per payment to secure its preservation, equating to an estimated total economic value of between 5.87 and 35.47 billion ISK. In the light of possible competitive land management demands among Heiðmörk's three owners and many recreational users in the future, the establishment of these values and their potential use in cost-benefit assessments informs the debate concerning whether the area should be preserved or further developed to satisfy economic objectives. Additionally, a body of experimental evidence is formed suggesting that the increased duration of a fixed payment vehicle is associated with much higher total economic valuations compared to a one-year payment period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic knowledge concerning preferences and willingness to pay for the preservation of geothermal areas is currently very limited. This paper seeks to increase understanding, using the contingent valuation method to estimate willingness to pay for the preservation of two high-temperature geothermal fields likely to be developed in the near future: Eldvörp and Hverahlíð. Both study sites are located in Iceland, a nation that has been the recipient of repeated calls by the OECD to commence accounting for environmental impacts in cost-benefit analyses, particularly those associated with power projects. We applied interval regression using log-transformation to estimate WTP for the preservation of the high-temperature Eldvörp and Hverahlíð fields. The estimated mean WTP was 8333 and 7122 ISK for Eldvörp and Hverahlíð respectively. Scaled up to the Icelandic population of national taxpayers, this equates to estimated total economic value of 2.10 and 1.77 billion ISK respectively. These results reinforce arguments in favour of accounting for environmental impacts of Iceland's future geothermal power projects as a mandatory component of the decision-making process. In Iceland and further afield, more research is necessary to develop understanding of the economic value of impacts to recreational amenity and other ecosystem services resulting from geothermal power projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable management of soils is needed to accomplish many of the United Nations⿿ Sustainable Development Goals, but it can be problematic in practice as soils are complex and to manage them sustainably requires the co-operation of multiple stakeholders on various level of society. We present the outcome of a transdisciplinary approach towards indicator development, where we created a set of soil indicators for sustainable development with stakeholder group participation from scientists, policymakers and soil practitioners. The groups evaluated 49 indicators, through a Delphi survey technique, and selected a set of 30 indicators. Of these 14 were common to all stakeholder groups and represented a final set of core soil indicators for sustainable development. The Delphi survey did suffer from high attrition rate and low response rate, especially among the policy makers, which limits somewhat its findings. Nevertheless, the survey illustrated the usefulness of relevant stakeholder involvement in an indicator development process and the role of survey based instruments in aiding the selection of common indicators, whilst showing the different views of stakeholders groups. Given that the stakeholder groups have to consider a multitude of variables and impacts on soil and may have different focus and management goals in mind, a process such as this can serve as a starting point for discussion between stakeholder groups on various levels of governance about how to manage soil sustainably and help to fulfil the UN⿿s Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature available on alternative fuel heavy-duty trucks often focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and total cost of ownership assessments, drawing an insightful but incomplete picture of the best solutions for each context. Using Iceland as case study, this paper attempts to provide a broader perspective by including energy security, technical feasibility and air pollutant emissions in the assessment. AFLEET and GREET are used to calculate the life cycle emissions and the total cost of ownership of 10 heavy-duty powertrains using representative vehicle categories in Iceland: regional and delivery trucks. The technical feasibility of battery-electric and hydrogen trucks is addressed in terms of battery/tank required capacity for representative fuel efficiency values, while the resources available in Iceland are used to determine the local fuel production capacity and the potential impact of each alternative fuel pathway on energy security. The results suggest that battery-electric trucks present the highest environmental and economic benefits, although the limited range of current battery technology implies a high penetration only in delivery trucks. Hydrogen and compressed natural gas pathways present attractive results for regional trucks, although their implementation is limited due to high life cycle costs and insufficient feedstock capacity. Renewable diesel stands out as a potential solution to fill the gap for regional trucks as it presents overall satisfactory results throughout all dimensions addressed. The results suggest that a 100% alternative fuel heavy-duty fleet energy demand could be met using local resources in Iceland. [Display omitted] • The transition towards alternative fuel heavy duty vehicles in Iceland is studied. • Nine alternative fuel heavy duty powertrains are assessed in LCA and TCO terms. • The link between alternative fuel production and energy security is discussed. • BEV stands out as the most attractive pathway for both vehicle categories. • Iceland could meet 100% of HDV energy demand using domestically produced fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil ecosystem services (ES) provide multiple benefits to humans but to date no consensus has formed on a comprehensive framework for their classification and economic valuation, and therefore a systematic approach has not been developed to evaluate their importance. We present a literature review of soil ES and functions, the economic methods that have been used to value them, and values that have been derived from various studies under different type of land use. We illustrate how recent developments in the field of Earth Critical Zone research are contributing to the development of soil ES valuation techniques within the ES framework. These developments have further underpinned the necessity to include the multiple aspects of soils in ES frameworks because of their fundamental roles in ecosystem functionality and vitality. We provide examples on how soil ES can be classified and valued using standard economic methods and established analysis frameworks. We show how significant economic value is derived from soil ES and thus highlight the economic losses associated with soil degradation. Furthermore, we also demonstrate the need to develop a comprehensive framework for the economic assessment of soil ecosystem services in order to better inform decision-making at various levels of governance regarding land use and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Target 19 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 17 calls for the use of alternative measures of economic welfare in addition to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is an example of such a measure, including various non-market benefits and environmental and social costs unaccounted for in GDP. This study presents the results from the first estimate of the GPI for Iceland over the period 2000–2019. Iceland represents an interesting case study given its remoteness, environmental vulnerability, natural resource dependency, and fluctuating economic performance in recent years, which has featured a banking collapse and tourism-fuelled resurgence. The study finds that Iceland's GPI was equal to between 2.41 and 3.05 times the value of national GDP. Statistics for both GDP and the GPI peaked in 2019 at 2,970,076 (USD M 24,237) and 7,163,300 million ISK (USD M 58,443), respectively. Mean annual rates of per capita expansion for both GDP and the GPI were 2.1% and 0.6%, respectively. Despite the scale of the Icelandic GPI, the study also revealed non-negligible values for environmental and social costs which, in aggregate, were equal to between 17.8% and 25.4% of the value of consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognising the well-known limitations of economic growth as a litmus test of progress and the call by Target 19 of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 to "develop measurements on progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product", this paper advances understanding of the linkages between alternative measures of economic well-being, the well-being economy and the SDGs. A conceptual model is presented, linking four capital assets to well-being goals and domains, which are connected to related SDGs. An assessment is conducted on the extent to which Gross Domestic Product and five alternative indicators of economic well-being (Environmentally Adjusted Net Domestic Product, Measure of Economic Welfare, Genuine Savings, Genuine Progress Indicator and Inclusive Wealth Index) align with (a) the dimensions of economic well-being, and (b) various environmental, economic, social and institutional targets set by the SDGs. The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is found to be the most comprehensive in coverage, accounting for market-based welfare, services from essential capital, and various environmental and social costs, and linking directly to targets in fourteen of the seventeen SDGs. The paper discusses how greater use of alternative measures of economic well-being by policymakers can encourage transitions to economies which prioritise well-being and desirability objectives. • Conceptual model of wellbeing economy presented – capital asset classes, domains and goals. • Alternative measures of economic wellbeing have far greater linkages to SDGs than GDP. • Genuine Progress Indicator most closely aligned with SDG targets. • Alternative measures of economic wellbeing can promote policy initiatives with SDG benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decreasing the yield stress of bentonite facilitated chalcopyrite flotation. • K+ was superior to Na+ in reducing the yield stress but with a lower flotation result. • The discrepancy was related with the modification of bentonite morphology. • The modification was owing to the interaction between K+ and bentonite. Waste management in Iceland has developed considerably in recent years. Before 1990, most of the waste was either burnt in open pits or landfilled. In the past, information about waste management in Iceland used to be almost exclusively published in reports and was primarily based on rough estimates. Currently, incinerators and landfilling sites are highly regulated and follow EU legislation. Additionally, reporting has gradually improved and is approaching EU standards, although improvement is still needed. In an international context, Iceland is far behind the other Nordic countries as well as the EU-27 countries in reducing landfill rates and enhancing energy recovery and recycling rates. According to the EU landfill directive, the total amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfilled must be below 10% by 2035; however, it is currently over 60%. Other targets are similarly far off, and it is unlikely that Iceland will meet those in time without immediate and significant changes in waste management. This article aims to evaluate MSW management in Iceland at the national and regional levels, its compliance with the EU's targets for waste management and the associated costs inflicted on municipalities. Hence, annual accounts data were used when comparing regions and municipalities. It was found that there are significant differences in per capita waste management expenditure between municipalities with less than 1,000 inhabitants (€379) and ones with more than 10,000 inhabitants (€106). Without changes in proposed future waste management strategies, this gap will inevitably increase in the upcoming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experiences an energy poverty crisis, with more than 600 million of its 1.2 billion inhabitants living without access to modern energy services. Despite this, vast amounts of renewable energy resources are geographically distributed across the region. SSA needs to establish proper planning mechanisms if it is to achieve universal access while mitigating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission. This paper presents a scoping review of 30 integrated energy modeling studies that concern SSA. The review indicates that addressing the region's energy access challenges will require decentralized generation and grid extension to be employed in a synergistic way. Achieving high access levels while limiting GHG emissions will require energy decision makers to enact and implement climate, techno-economic, environmental, and efficiency policies. Additionally, technology learning and energy storage will improve the uptake of variable renewable resources. Operationalization of power trade will reduce the capital investment costs required to meet the current and future energy demand and tap into potential of the abundant renewable energy resources in SSA region. Energy planning using an integrated energy systems model will be key to achieving these aims at national as well as regional level. Accordingly, it is necessary that national governments and energy decision makers in the region work in tandem with energy stakeholders, local academic institutions, and international energy modeling experts to build local capacities. This will then enable a synchronized framework for the development of short-to medium-term national energy models, the results of which could then be integrated into a regional model. • The European based institutions are the main drivers of the SSA region's energy modeling studies. • There is need for capacity building in the SSA region. • Future modeling studies need to adopt a hybrid approach. • Future modeling work should incorporate the finer representation of key power elements. • Power pools are key for renewable energy uptake in SSA: It is recommended to adopt a cyclic approach of energy modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate impacts of deep enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) have been understudied in the academic literature. Using life-cycle analysis (LCA) conducted in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, this paper explores the climate change impacts of two deep EGS. The first study was in Reykjanes, Iceland, where a single well, IDDP-2/DEEPEGS, was drilled to a depth of 4.6 km for the purposes of additional electricity production from an existing power plant. The second study involved two wells with side-tracks (depth > 5000 m), drilled to serve a new heat and power co-generation plant located on an old oil field site in Vendenheim, France. Climate change impacts for the sites were estimated in the range 1.6–17.4 gCO2e/kWh and 6.9–13.9 gCO2e/kWh for Reykjanes and Vendenheim, respectively. Although the EGS projects are very different, both outcomes are low when compared to non-renewable alternatives and akin to best-in-class renewable alternatives. The main impact at the Reykjanes demonstration site were the greenhouse gas emissions released from the borehole, an effect that could be avoided by carbon capture and storage/mineralisation/utilisation. In the case of Vendenheim, further reductions in emissions could be achieved via more extensive adoption of circular economy principles in design and procurement. • First two life-cycle assessments of deep enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). • Climate change impacts for Reykjanes estimated in the range 1.6–17.4 gCO2e/kWh. • Climate change impacts for Vendenheim estimated in the range 6.9–13.9 gCO2e/kWh. • Emissions reductions at Reykjanes achievable through carbon capture and storage. • Circular economy design/procurement principles could reduce emissions at Vendenheim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Following the success of two trial wind turbines, the national power company of Iceland, Landsvirkjun, proposed a wind farm at Búrfellslundur on the edge of the Icelandic highlands. The farm would comprise of 67 turbines with combined production capacity of 200 MW. The Environmental Impact Assessment for the development raised concerns about the visual impacts of the proposals on the surrounding countryside. In this study, the contingent valuation method was applied to evaluate preferences and estimate willingness to pay to preserve Búrfellslundur. This study represents only the third contribution in the international academic literature concerning the economic value of the environmental costs of developing wind farms, and the first focused on onshore resources. In addition, this paper fulfills a call by the OECD, who have requested that Iceland commence economic valuation of the environmental impacts of energy projects. A web-based contingent valuation survey was developed and issued by the University of Iceland's Social Science Research Institute, receiving 690 respondents. Of these, 28% were willing to pay for preservation. Interval regression using log-transformation was applied to estimate mean willingness-to-pay, which was 12,549 ISK (approximately US $128). When scaled up to the Icelandic population of taxpayers, the economic value of preserving Búrfellslundur was estimated to be 3.17 billion ISK (approximately US $32.3 million). These results are of a scale that could have a significant impact on the social welfare gains or losses associated with Búrfellslundur, and inform the international land-use management debate concerning the trade-offs of developing wind farms. Highlights • Onshore wind energy a new renewable energy technology in Iceland. • Estimated total WTP of 3.17 billion to preserve Búrfellslundur. • CV studies progress use of non-market valuation techniques in Iceland. • Informs international debate concerning trade-offs of developing onshore wind farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last three years, national indicator sets and international coalitions for advancement of the well-being economy's ambitions have begun to be developed. This study applies a capital asset, well-being goals and domains, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework to evaluate the scope and comprehensiveness of the indicator sets of Iceland, Scotland and New Zealand. Both national objectives and SDG indicator priorities, determined through each nation's stakeholder consultation process, have greatly shaped the indicator selection process, albeit leading to a narrow concentration in some areas. There is currently more focus on natural capital preservation and environmental performance in the cases of Iceland and New Zealand, whereas Scotland integrates analysis on contributions to human well-being via ecosystem services. Additionally, resources that appear critical to these economies and processes that undermine the productive capacities of the resource base are not represented by indicators. Spatial scale variations are evident too. Domestic phenomena are the focus of Iceland and New Zealand's indicators sets, whilst Scotland's is more internationalist. Despite these inconsistencies, it is evident that the national indicator sets are inclusive and reflective of socio-cultural priorities, including the needs of certain Indigenous peoples, often monitoring criteria that go beyond the limits of the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complicated task of measuring environmental sustainability has often led to comparative evaluations of national performance using ranking lists and generic policy targets. In this paper, a set of national environmental indicators is determined through the deployment of a five-stage methodology, which includes the use of focus group research and formation of an expert team to guide the process, selection of an initial pool of pre-existing indicators, establishment of criteria to guide the selection process, and setting of appropriate policy or trend-based targets given the nation-specific context. The nations of Iceland and Norway are used as case studies to demonstrate an effective means of communicating indicator outcomes over time. National performance is first evaluated on an indicator-by-indicator basis and then summarised overall through a system of traffic lights and radar charts for trend and target-based indicators respectively. Via this analytical process, it also becomes clear that data shortages partially constrain the extent to which a nation’s environmental sustainability performance can be deciphered. Improved data collection is necessary connected to the measurement of several environmental issues on a national scale, particularly the sustainability of fisheries, soil erosion and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environmental life-cycle costing conducted on deep enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). • Reykjanes' total costs were in the range 14.47–15.78 M euros (Є45.0/MWh/year). • Vendenheim's total costs were in the range 91.90–113.97 M euros (Є16.5/MWh/year). • Evidence found that deep EGS projects are cheaper than conventional geothermal power. Environmental life cycle costing (ELCC) is a tool which aggregates five categories of monetary costs across a project's life cycle: investment, operation, maintenance, end-of-life, and externalities. This paper summarises the results from the first two ELCC studies involving deep enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The ReCiPe method was used to transform life cycle impact factors into economic costs for externalities. The two case studies are the pilot EGS project in Reykjanes, Iceland and the Vendenheim co-generation plant in France. The ELCC of the Reykjanes project is estimated in the range 14.47–15.78 million euros, with investment and well drilling projected to constitute 83% of these amounts. An ELCC in the range 91.90–113.97 million euros is estimated for Vendenheim, with the production plant, well drilling, and operations and maintenance costs accounting for the majority. The levelized costs of energy associated with Vendenheim (mean Є45.0/MWh/year) and Reykjanes (mean Є16.5/MWh/year) are at the lower end of the range normally reported for geothermal power projects. Although the case studies cannot be directly compared since Reykjanes involves the drilling of a single well and Vendenheim a co-generation plant and two wells, the outcomes suggest that deep EGS projects may involve cost-savings compared to conventional geothermal power ventures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social-ecological change in the Arctic is accelerated by the multifaceted effects of climate change and globalization. Among other things, this means changing human-ecosystem dynamics through altered availability, co-production, and governance of ecosystem services (ES). A group of species illustrative of this change are whales, migratory species that have played an important part in the culture and subsistence of Arctic communities for millennia. This study explores the changing human-nature interactions and whale ES governance by combining ES and interactive governance theories. A multi-method approach is applied to assess qualitatively the qualitative governability of whale ES in three Arctic coastal locations: Húsavík in Iceland, Andenes in Norway, and Disko Bay in Greenland. Based on a literature review, stakeholder mapping, observations, and analysis of 54 semi-structured stakeholder interviews, the study finds that whale ES governance involves multiple actors with differing preferences and values and that much of it happens outside of formal institutions, necessitating inclusive approaches to improve it. The study reveals some whale ES governance deficiencies and potentials, such as a mismatch between governance scales and a need for more formal governance practices based on scientific research and stakeholder inputs. Governance frameworks were present for provisioning whale ES related to whaling, but they were lacking for non-consumptive whale ES, such as whale watching. Addressing these issues can help to direct marine resource management toward sustainability by making it more inclusive, adaptive, and reflective of stakeholder needs and values. This goal could be advanced by applying the governance principles that view humans as an integral part of social-ecological systems, e.g., ecosystem stewardship and ecosystem-based management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the early 2010s, Nordic companies have been at the top of business rankings as the most sustainable in the world. Some are energy companies with business frameworks with a long-term approach to become carbon neutral. However, limited literature exists on what drives Nordic energy companies to implement responsible business frameworks even when they are recognized as frontrunners in sustainability and in incorporating renewable sources of energy into their portfolio. This article contributes to the literature by presenting a framework that identifies and categorizes the drivers for Nordic energy companies to implement responsible business frameworks and also by determining the characteristics of a responsible energy company. The findings are based on empirical data obtained from interviews involving high-level managers from relevant Nordic energy companies. A framework is developed and categorizes eight internal, nine connecting, and nine external drivers. The findings suggest that a responsible energy company needs to incorporate nineteen key elements to its business frameworks which served as a basis to propose a definition of the energy company of the future. The findings, and the proposed framework and definition intend to: 1) provide a better understanding of what drives energy companies towards responsible business frameworks, 2) emphasize the importance of defining the characteristics of a responsible energy company, and 3) propose a definition of the energy company of the future. This article contributes to the literature by proposing a framework that provides a broader perspective on the topic and by providing a new definition of the energy company of the future. The practical contributions come from providing a deeper understanding of the diversity of drivers for energy companies which can translate into positive effects for the energy sector with regards to public policies, legislations and regulations, and innovative business frameworks. Understanding what drives energy companies towards responsible corporate behavior is particularly relevant considering that the energy sector is crucial for achieving most of the Sustainable Development Goals. • Nordic energy companies have an "implicit" or an "explicit" approach to CSR. • Energy companies follow internal, connecting and external drivers to be responsible. • A responsible energy company has 19 characteristics in its business framework. • Understanding responsibility drivers helps design innovative business frameworks. • Understanding social expectations help define the energy company of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the socio-cultural values of multiple ecosystem services (ES) sourced from whales in Skjálfandi Bay, North Iceland, with many beneficiaries living in and visiting the town of Húsavík. The study begins to address the research gap in non-monetary valuation of marine ecosystem services. Based on a multi-method approach, it elicits stakeholders' perceptions of the contribution of whale ES to human wellbeing using stakeholder mapping, semi-structured interviews, observations, and socio-cultural preference surveys. The key whale ES identified by the local stakeholders were cultural, most frequently mentioned being recreation and education. The most commonly mentioned ES values were related to economic benefits from the whale watching industry. The preference survey reveals that regulating and maintenance ES were valued most highly with a mean score of 4.0 out of 5.0, cultural ES were second with a mean score of 3.5, and provisioning ES in the form of food and raw materials were valued the least with a mean of 0.75. Interview data also reveals some marine ES management challenges originating from intensified tourism, industrial development, and climate change. The results of the study have the potential to inform marine resource management in Iceland by including socio-cultural values associated with whale resources. • The paper examines socio-cultural values of whale ES in Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland. • A multi-method approach is used to identify and assess ten key ES and their values. • The most highly valued ES group is regulating and maintenance, followed by cultural, and provisioning. • The key management challenges relate to identifying and accounting for trade-offs and synergies between different marine ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EF's CF data is largely based on estimates. • Uncertainty in data makes it impossible to assert that CF is any specific number. • This is rarely made clear in EF's dissemination. • Institutions equally focused on research and politics run the risk of bias. Since the UNCED's call for the creation of sustainability indicators many such have been put forth in the literature. One of the more successful ones, in terms of popularity, is the Ecological Footprint (EF). Much criticism has been directed at the EF, not least the carbon uptake component (CF). The CF typically makes up around 50% of global EF and is the sole cause for its overshot – i.e. results indicating unsustainable consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the data used for the calculation of CF. The study finds that the data is lacking in accuracy to the point that stating that CF or EF is any given number at any given time is misleading. The reasons for this uncertainty are identified as use of estimates and averages for the calculations as well as discrepancy between data collected locally and data from international databanks. CF or EF results should thus always be prefaced with caveats regarding the uncertainty involved in the estimation. The lack of caveats in EF dissemination is worrying and has led to the most serious criticism of the method to date, that of it fulfilling the criteria for pseudo-science for failing to disclose uncertainties in calculations and results. This study suggests that the reason for this failure may be traced to the Global Footprint Network (GFN) being both a think tank actively promoting the use of EF, and the world's largest research unit into the methodology. This can lead to uncertainties being down played in dissemination not to confuse current users of the method or dissuade new ones. The study further raises questions about the accuracy of GHG estimates in general since they are often based on the same IPCC default emission factors and activity data as used by the GFN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study analyses the potential additional electrical load on Reykjavík's electrical grid spatially and temporally (2019–2050) due to the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) according to different pro-EV policies. A cost estimate of the required upgrades is provided. The results of the research show that the electrical system could face strain with a potential peak load increase of 67–114% over the study period. Spatiotemporal analysis can thus aid policymakers and grid planners in understanding where and when the electrical system could be put at risk due to EV charging and plan accordingly. • Case study comparing three pro-EV policy scenarios to for spatiotemporal analysis of EV load on Reykjavik power system. • Contingency analysis and cost estimate according to where and when peak load could cause component failure in power system. • System dynamics modelling of political scenarios impact on EV integration used to highlight policy impact on peak load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]