Geothermal Energy and More: How to Travel Sustainably in Iceland

Looking at the primal landscapes of Iceland, “fragile” is hardly the first word that comes to mind. But the natural balance that keeps it beautiful can’t be taken for granted, and Icelanders know that. The availability of geothermal energy in Iceland makes it a little easier to live sustainably, but a whole range of green solutions are needed to preserve and protect the country for generations—and as responsible travelers, it’s up to us to do our part when we visit.

How exactly do you go about being a climate-friendly traveler? Iceland welcomes visitors, and they’ve provided tips and tools to make it as easy as possible. But first, a little background on the country’s ecological efforts.

Iceland’s Renewable Energy

Iceland is a remote northern island, where self-sufficiency has always been central to the culture. Reykjavík, in fact, is the world’s northernmost capital city, meaning hours of sunlight in the winter are brief. Today, that makes for incredible sights like the ones you’ll encounter on our Iceland: Northern Lights Adventure, but historically it meant careful preparation and resource management.

That legacy carries on today in the form of renewable energy. Those grand volcanoes and towering waterfalls you see in all the photos aren’t just pretty—they provide the island with a unique opportunity. In centuries past geothermal energy actually allowed Icelanders to bake bread by burying it, and today the ramifications are even more profound. Iceland has switched away from oil and coal to geothermal and hydroelectric power sources. Now 99% of electric generation in the country comes from renewable sources, with the goal of achieving total carbon neutrality by 2040.

From an eco-conscious traveller’s perspective, renewables make some choices simpler. You’ll spend Day One of the Iceland: Hiking the Land of Fire and Ice tour in a hotel heated with geothermal energy, for instance, and both our tours visit greenhouses where fresh produce is grown with the help of geothermal energy.

Most spectacularly, while hot water would be a precious commodity if it were heated with fossil fuels, thanks to geothermal energy you can enjoy a long soak in the hot water springs of Iceland.

Iceland’s Geothermal Pools

Geothermal pools are found throughout the country, with The Blue Lagoon spa being probably the most famous. The nearby Svartsengi powerplant uses water superheated by lava to run its turbines. The energy created serves the local infrastructure, while the hot, mineral-rich water goes to the Blue Lagoon to creates a world-class wellness experience.

Both our Iceland hiking tours end at the Blue Lagoon, where you can take the chance to relax and reflect before heading home. The  presence of silica and other minerals has been clinically proven to be good for the skin, so the Blue Lagoon’s mystique goes well beyond a simple soak.

It’s fantastic knowing a visit to the spa is healthy and low-impact, but of course there’s more to reducing your travel footprint. Fortunately, many of those ways are also simple, common-sense solutions.

Skip the Bottled Water

Ever heard of the luxury water brand Kranavatn? If not, that’s because it’s means “tap water” in Icelandic. While many travelers admit to drinking much more bottled water while on the road, there’s no need for it in Iceland—the country claims it has some of the “cleanest and best-tasting tap water in the world.”

The Kranavatn campaign might be delivered with a wink by the Icelandic tourism organization Inspired by Iceland, but the underlying message is sincere. When you can barely throw a stone with hitting a glacier, there’s no reason to pay a premium for what comes freely out of the tap. By choosing to use reuseable bottles, you’ll be helping to keep plastic waste out of the ocean.

Tread Lightly on the Land

You’ve probably heard the anecdotes—some traveler veers off the beaten path for the sake of a selfie amidst the deep-green moss fields of Iceland, only to leave a scar on the landscape that will endure for a generation. There’s no photo worth causing decades’ worth of ecological damage, and Icelanders cite disrespect for the environment as one of their main frustrations with tourists.

The fact is, in a country with few forests, fragile moss is responsible for many of the beautiful landscapes. Icelanders are fiercely protective of it, because it’s so easy to damage and so slow to recover. Our guides will prime you with everything you need to know before visiting an ecologically sensitive site, but do bear the moss in mind even if the perfect shot is calling your name.

Take It Slow

One of Iceland’s recommendations for lower impact travel is simply to stay longer—by moving more slowly and enjoying your visit to the fullest extent, you consume fewer resources overall. While our seven-day tours can show you much of what make Iceland so special, you might decide to add on a few days on either side of the journey.

If you do, we encourage you to enjoy locally produced foods and explore on foot as much as possible. Our Reykjavik City Guide is full of ways to enjoy the capital, while a few commonsense adaptations can give you peace of mind that others will be able to enjoy this vast, beautiful land for years to come.

Learn more about our Iceland tours.

If you’ve enjoyed reading and are inspired to join us or have questions about the adventures featured in this post, please give us a call at 1-800-941-8010 or contact us.