The Alcoa and Landsvirkjun Sustainability Initiative was launched in 2004, in the early stages of the construction of the Karahnjukar dam and the Fjardaal smelter in Reydarfjordur, East-Iceland. Neither one of the companies had a model how to conduct a project of this kind. It soon became clear that the initiative was a pilot project, not only in Iceland, but globally. Icelandic and foreign consultants were hired to help the companies with the design and outline of the project. Furthermore, the companies requested participation from a wide range of stakeholders, that were both "wiht" or "against" the constructions. The representatives formed an advisory group that has contributed to the unique approach of the initiative. On this website you can follow the Initiative Process and receive information on the results of the monitoring of sustainable initiatives.
Búfé á beit
Hreindýr við Snæfell
Húsey við Héraðsflóa
Hreiður heiðagæsa á svæði Hálslóns
Facts of Interest
Unique Endeavour
The Sustainability Initiative in Eastern Iceland is a Pilot Project. It is still unknown whether a comparable initiative has been entered into ta the beginning of a construction process.
Meira...No Gold-Digging!
"No Gold-digging!“ These word may as well chrystallize the meaning of Sustainable Development, which is about a balance that can only be acquired by the three braces sustainability or social, environmental and economical development. If the stakeholders' only aim is to "make money," something will be bound to break. Balance in all areas is a key success factor.
Meira...50% of the workforce consists of females
Tómas Már Sigurðsson, the Managing Director of Alcoa Iceland, participated in the Advisory Group of the Sustainability Initiative in Eastern Iceland. He stated that the Initiative was extremely valuable for Alcoa Fjardaal, and part of the strategic decision making was based on the results from the Advisory Group meetings, e.g. "One of the goals Alcoa Fjardaal aims to reach is that 50% of jobs in the smelter will be occupied by women."
Sustainable development is a concept that refers to development where emphasis is shifted from short term economic gains to a more long term approach where there is balance between economic, social, and environmental considerations. Sustainable development requires an integrated approach to decision-making linking the economy, the environment, and society rather than a piecemeal approach. Development of this type is a complex process of interaction between public authorities, civil society, and the private sector. Sustainability has similar meaning as sustainable development, but is used when the focus is more narrow, such as sustainability within companies or the sustainability of specific projects.
„Development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“
Sustainable Development is not a magical word that contains a simple solution to all of the problems of man kind. It is only a definition of ideology that contains practical solutions put forth by the United Nations in an effort to solve many critical challenges of the 21st century.
News
Sustainability.is
The English version of the Sustainable Initiative in Eastern Iceland is now open.
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More than 81% inhabitants of Eastern Iceland are positive in their view towards Alcoa Fjardaral Operations.
In a recent survey conducted by Capacent Gallup in Iceland for Alcoa Fjardaal and Landsvirkjun, over 81% inhabitants state they have positive attitudes towards Alcoa Fjardaral Operations and a little less than 75% inhabitants are positive attitudes towards Landsvirkjun Operations.
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