Energy efficiency and minimisation of emissions

Together with the rest of the Svalbard community, we want to achieve a zero-emission society. Along the way, our ambition is to be a leader in energy efficiency. We are working hard to reduce our overall environmental footprint and push the industry in an energy-efficient direction.

Common goal for everyone in Svalbard

Energy efficiency and minimisation of emissions is one of the challenges we share with others in Svalbard. This does not mean that we are leaning on others to do the job. We set high standards and have a clear ambition.

As an Eco-Lighthouse certified company, we are obliged to report annual emissions and consumption. This enables us to see what we are doing well and what we can improve. Specifically, we are working to reduce our electricity, plastic and chemical consumption – and we are measuring this. All our buildings are modern and new, which contributes to energy efficiency. We recently sold our oldest building and renovated another, so we can operate energy-efficient buildings. The next step is to install solar panels.

We must dare to talk openly about our consumption in Svalbard. It’s important to remember that we are a small archipelago in the High Arctic and our nearest neighbour is the North Pole. We are isolated and are not connected by road with the Norwegian mainland. Cargo must be sent by air or sea. The extreme climate here also makes it difficult to adopt all green solutions. However, this does not stop us from trying. We are cooperating with the local community and are involved in pushing the entire Longyearbyen community in a greener direction.

Discontinuation of coal mining in Svalbard

Svalbard is the only community in Norway that until recently relied exclusively on coal as a source of energy. A major shift is underway whereby coal is being replaced by greener energy. It is planned to shut down the only remaining operational mine, Mine 7, from 2023 and replace it with renewable sources of energy.

Snowmobile and boat trips

Svalbard Adventures has run tourism operations in Svalbard since 1994 and snowmobile and boat trips are here to stay. There are just 40 km of sealed roads in the entire Svalbard archipelago. Consequently, we rely on snowmobiles and boats to travel around, as private individuals as well as a tourism company that offers trips by snowmobile and boat to our guests. Our snowmobiles are energy-efficient vehicles with four-stroke engines. We recently became agents for Taiga’s 100% electric snowmobiles, which were launched in 2021, and hope to eventually offer tours using 100% electric snowmobiles.

We have modern boats and make a conscious effort to limit speed to reduce emissions. We also ensure that the capacity on each trip is fully utilised, while the offer of trips in the local area has increased to enable guests to make conscious choices.

Our choices affect you as an end consumer

By choosing Svalbard Adventures as a provider, you can rest assured that we always consider purchasing, consumption and emissions so we can offer a better product to you as a guest. This also influences society in the right direction and contributes to us all working to achieve energy efficiency and minimisation of emissions.

Our work involving energy efficiency and minimisation of emissions: