Brynhildur Davidsdottir

University of Iceland | HI · Institute for Sustainable Development

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 expecte...

Intensification of the food system and higher consumption of meat and dairy products has placed heavy pressure on the ecological infrastructure responsible for providing ecosystem services (ES). Agroecosystem management often focuses on yield optimization and loses sight of nature’s contribution. This paper uses a systematic literature review and t...

This book presents 23 in-depth case studies of successful public policies and programmes in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Each chapter tells the story of the policy’s origins, aims, design, decision-making and implementation processes, and assesses in which respects—programmatically, process-wise, politically and over time—and to wh...

This book presents 23 in-depth case studies of successful public policies and programmes in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Each chapter tells the story of the policy’s origins, aims, design, decision-making and implementation processes, and assesses in which respects—programmatically, process-wise, politically and over time—and to wh...

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 ar...

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 speci...

The paper presents a synthesis of some of the interdisciplinary work from the ARCPATH project that focuses on the effects of climate change on Arctic social- ecological systems. It does so through the prism of whales and their recreational ecosystem services (ES). Whales present a group of species that are vulnerable to climate change and, at the s...

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 tran...

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, technic...

Arctic coastal communities are a part of co-evolving marine social-ecological systems (SES), which support livelihoods, provide sustenance and underpin cultural identity. Whale ecosystem services (ES) represent a useful lens for gaining greater understanding of the linkages between marine ecosystems and human well-being, in the Arctic and beyond. T...

Volcanic ecosystem services (ES) is a subject that has been overlooked by the vast ecosystem services literature, where the spotlight has been focused on the many ecosystem disservices (ED) of volcanic hazards. This study conducts a literature review using the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) framework, identifying the main ES comm...

Sustainable energy development is a complex and global policy objective. What needs to be emphasized to reach the objective, varies based on context corresponding to different energy-related challenges. A robust set of context-specific indicators is needed to measure progress towards sustainable energy development. Sustainability indicators enable...

Iceland is an understudied nation with respect to the quality, quantity and value of its ecosystem services, despite the growth of nature-based tourism and an economy reliant on abundant natural resources, especially fish stocks and renewable energy. This research reports on the preliminary outcome of an investigation to estimate the economic value...

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...

A protected area (PA) is essentially a governance system, a spatially defined area encompassing natural and/or cultural attributes, governed by a set of actors with different roles and institutional frameworks. There are many types of PA governance systems, guided by historical-, site-specific- and context-dependent factors. This study has the obje...

Non-technical summary The exponential growth of humanity's resource consumption over the last half-century has led to ecological decline while people's basic needs have not been universally satisfied. The ‘doughnut economy’ and sustainable consumption corridor concepts have gained global attention, providing frameworks in which the maximum allowab...

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...

Environmental sustainability indicators are commonly used to assess progress towards sustainability. Assessing environmental impacts associated with a specific economic sector can provide a more detailed view of the effects of economic activities on the environmental performance of a nation. A national indicator set, specifically developed for Icel...

This study develops a new national-scale bottom-up energy system optimization model called Kenya-TIMES. The model evaluates the implication of greenhouse gas emission's reduction on the techno-economic and environmental evolution of Kenya's power system under three government-projected electricity demand levels, which covers the 2020–2045 period. T...

Glaciers have been an increasingly studied topic in the ecosystem services (ES) literature, with multiple scientific studies affirming a critical and diverse contribution to human well-being. However, the literature to date on glacier ES has lacked a systematic analysis of their type and the various stages in the formation of glacier ES, including...

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...

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/DEEPEG...

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]

Sustainable energy development is a complex multi-dimensional concept that can vary in meaning based on the context it is applied in and the perspective of the user. The role of energy in achieving sustainable development was recognized when the concept was first put forward in 1987. However, what that role consisted of was not made clear. Since th...

Limiting the use of fossil fuels in fisheries is important for industry competitiveness and for achievement of greenhouse gas reduction targets, particularly in countries like Iceland where fishing contributes significantly to both the economy and emissions. This article analyses harvesting fuel intensity in Iceland between 2002 and 2017 and examin...

This study presents a socially sustainable energy system narrative that is based on two pillars: energy sufficiency as the universal energy system goal and the energy-justice-based principles of energy access provision. The constructed narrative provides an operational theoretical foundation for choosing energy provision technologies that can be co...

Nordic companies have been at the top of sustainable business rankings since the early 2010s. Some of them are energy companies that have adopted Corporate Social Responsibility to have a positive social impact and become carbon neutral. However, limited literature has analyzed the barriers that Nordic energy companies face while implementing Corpo...

Sustainable energy development is a complex and multi-dimensional concept that is integral to sustainable development. This paper offers an approach to selecting comprehensive and robust indicators to monitor progress towards this international policy objective. Numerous weaknesses in current indicator sets for sustainable energy development have b...

Kenya's current electricity production is mainly relying on hydro and geothermal resources. Both of these resources are subject to complex dynamics that affect their sustainable utilization. Neither the current power expansion plan for Kenya, nor the existing electricity supply models address such effects. The research question in this paper is: Wh...

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 s...

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has only just begun to be applied in the Arctic, and to an even lesser extent to marine mammals, such as whales. This chapter develops an ES cascade model and related ES co-production processes as they apply to whale resources in the Arctic. The result is a new conceptual model demonstrating the interconnected...

Fulfilling the sustainable development goals requires a radical transformation of current energy development pathways towards sustainable energy development. This chapter reviews what this means in the context of geothermal energy, beginning by explaining what is meant by sustainable utilization of geothermal energy. It then takes a broader perspec...

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 whe...

Transportation plays a defining role in daily life, and this transport activity acts as a major source of global (GHG) emissions. Cities are macro-level actors that can measure and govern the transportation sector and associated GHG emissions with their boundaries. This study thus performed a scenario analysis using the Rey-kjavik capital area as a...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often considered a potential solution to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from personal transport vehicles, but this has also been questioned due to their high production emissions. In this study, we performed an extensive literature review of existing EV life-cycle assessments (LCAs) and a meta-analys...

Sustainable energy development has become an international policy objective and an integral part of sustainable development. It is necessary to develop a robust and comprehensive set of indicators to monitor progress towards sustainable energy development. This analysis aimed to assess established indicator sets for sustainable energy development....

There is currently limited knowledge concerning the economic value of commercial whale watching from the perspective of the consumer's trip experience. This study outlines the results of an in-person contingent valuation survey, which asked whale watching tourists in Faxaflói Bay, Iceland, how much they would have been willing to pay beyond the pai...

The introduction of Iceland's current ITQ system in 1991 has been followed by significant consolidation of the harvesting sector. This paper quantifies the rate of consolidation by measuring the concentration of quota holdings at company and vessel level for eight commercially important demersal and pelagic species over the period 1991–2017, using...

A transition towards a sustainable energy system is a challenging process that involves multiple stakeholders with differing viewpoints. Several transition pathways are possible, but the decision regarding which pathway to follow should be based on a justifiable and transparent framework that accounts for the concerns of all relevant stakeholder gr...

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 st...

Since the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972, the discourse has evolved from an initial focus on sustainable development to green and blue growth. Blue growth necessitates a different focus from business-as-usual policy as regards the fishing industry, requiring enhanced research and investment in value generating, cle...

The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic States, Indigenous communities and peoples on issues of common importance. The rising geo-political importance of the Arctic and the onset of climate change has resulted in the Council becoming a focus of increasing interest from both i...

The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic states, indigenous communities, and peoples on issues of common importance. The rising geo-political importance of the Arctic and the onset of climate change has resulted in the Council becoming a focus of increasing interest from both...

Alternative fuels have been proposed to ensure compliance with the increasingly more stringent emission standards proposed by the International Maritime Organization. In addition, the Icelandic government aims to introduce 10% renewable energy into the maritime sector before 2030, as well as eventually phasing out the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO). T...

The aim of this paper was to understand the relevance of accounting for geothermal resource dynamics for sustainable energy system planning in Iceland. This included assessing the implications of transition to electric vehicles as a decarbonisation strategy in Iceland. Therefore, the energy and transport system model (UniSyD_IS) was linked to a geo...

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 s...

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...

Energy companies are increasingly pressured to address a broader set of social responsibilities that go beyond legal and environmental requirements, which motivates them to incorporate a holistic approach to their activities. To do so, many firms have adopted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a response to a diversity of pressures but also a...

Transition to electric vehicles (EVs) requires multidimensional policy measures incorporating vehicle fleets, energy systems, consumer behaviours, and socioeconomic developments. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the implications of a tax-induced EV transition in Iceland for GHG mitigation, energy security, and economic benefits. The...

If geothermal resources are utilized excessively for electricity production, the reservoir can be temporarily (almost) depleted. Regeneration of an overutilized resource can take a long time. This paper presents a System Dynamics model for geothermal power plant expansion considering the dynamics of geothermal resources on a system’s level. The mod...

Commercial whaling is a divisive issue in Iceland, and often considered to be irreconcilable with whale watching. The coexistence of both activities in Faxaflói Bay, adjacent to the capital city of Reykjavík, has led to the designation of part of the bay as a whale sanctuary, where whaling is banned. The study utilises the contingent valuation meth...

The large gap between observed profitability and estimated potential efficiency of the ITQ-based Icelandic harvesting sector begs the question – how much is due to rent dissipation and how much to transfers? This paper examines the contribution of rent transfers from vessel owners to other stakeholders, focusing on processors, fishermen and the gov...

Goal 14, ‘Life Below Water’, of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals sets a target for nations to increase the number of marine protected areas managed using ecosystem-based management, which requires interventions focused on fish stock conservation and enhancement, environmental sustainability and ecosystem services of benefit to human...

The development of major economic sectors can provide the bedrock on which long-lasting national economic prosperity is formed. Iceland's tourism sector is an example of a rapidly expanded industry in recent years, to the extent that it has become the largest sectoral contributor to the nation's economy. The growth of the sector has led to a number...

The development of major economic sectors can provide the bedrock on which long-lasting national economic prosperity is formed. Iceland’s tourism sector is an example of a rapidly expanded industry in recent years, to the extent that it has become the largest sectoral contributor to the nation’s economy. The growth of the sector has led to a number...

This study contributes to a better understanding of where to place different energy modelling tools and support better decision-making related to the sustainable development of energy systems. It is argued that through the connection of the energy field and the field of sustainable development, the current energy paradigm—encompassing economic, env...

Developing geothermal power projects may lead to trade-offs, whereby the economic and social benefits of the venture are difficult to compare with its cultural consequences, which include impacts to ES such as aesthetics, spiritual enrichment and inspiration. The socio-cultural rather than monetary character of such impacts reinforce the importance...

The study presents the first systematic review of the existing literature on Arctic ES. Applying the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) and snowballing methods and three selection criteria, 33 publications were sourced, including peer-reviewed articles, policy papers and scientific reports, and their content synthesised using the the...

There is a long and varied history associated with the evolution of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, a historical review is missing in the academic literature that portrays the evolution of the academic understanding of the concept alongside with the public and international events that influenced the social expectatio...

One of the most used sustainability indicators of the past decades is the Ecological Footprint (EF). Criticism of the EF has often been aimed at its lack of accuracy. The marine component (MF) has been identified as one of the most sensitive parts of the calculations. The aim of this study was to assess and quantify this purported inaccuracy of MF...

This presentation was a work-in-progress presentation focused on providing an insight into the preliminary results and methodological approach. The research presented focuses on applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and stakeholder engagement approach to improve the understanding when comes to stakeholder influence towards decision making and...

The negative impact of human endeavour on the biosphere has becoming increasingly clear in recent decades. This has spurred a surge in the creation of sustainability indicators. One of the most used sustainability indicators of recent years is the Ecological Footprint (EF). The EF uses trade flows to estimate environmental impacts of consumption. T...

Iceland as an island country with abundant renewable energy resources has been totally dependent on imported petroleum fuels to meet its transport fuel demand. Transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is of particular interest for Iceland as electricity can be supplied from low-cost renewable energy resources. To evaluate how the transition to EVs can...

This Special Issue is intended to help readers gain a better understanding of the various definitions of blue growth, as well as to give a heightened awareness of the constraints of, and possibilities within, the important concept. Increased communication among those working together on these topics is of utmost importance, especially considering t...

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 recr...

In many countries, electric vehicles provide an opportunity to cut the demand for fossil fuels and GHG emissions. Thus, governments have implemented incentive policies to stimulate the adoption of EVs. In this study, by linking Multi-criteria decision analysis and an energy system model, an evaluation framework of fiscal policies for the adoption o...

Despite the significant energy use in dwellings, buildings have the highest energy savings potential among all sectors. One of the main analytical challenges is how to capture the impact from inertia driven by the current dwelling stock. Thus, a dwelling stock model was established to study the impacts of physical processes (e.g., aging), as well a...

Integrated management of multiple economic sectors is a central tenet of blue growth and socially optimal use of ocean-based natural resources, but the mechanisms of implementation remain poorly understood. In this review, we explore the challenges and opportunities of multi-sector management. We describe the roles of key existing sectors (fisherie...

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...

In many countries, electric vehicles provide an opportunity to cut the demand for fossil fuels and GHG emissions. Thus, governments have implemented incentive policies to stimulate the adoption of EVs. In this study, by linking Multi-criteria decision analysis and an energy system model, an evaluation framework of fiscal policies for the adoption o...

An ecosystem services perspective can provide a useful means of understanding, in human well-being terms, the type, scale and value of environmental impacts deriving from the deployment of renewable energy technologies. This paper provides the first thematic review of the ecosystem service impacts commonly associated with developing geothermal area...

The development of sustainable energy systems is now firmly on the international agenda. Nations and their governments must strive to implement energy policies that facilitate sustainable development for society. Although Iceland is highly ranked by currently available energy indices, controversy has surrounded the development of previously undevel...

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...