Ongoing Projects

Electric Transport

Daily commutes contribute to our carbon footprint and are vital to address in order to achieve carbon neutrality. In 2020 our school purchased two electric Renault Zoes, as a recognition to the class of that year. Our team has researched electric alternatives for ISZL’s buses and the long-term cost savings involved, and we are now looking to begin the transition.

  • The two electric Renault Zoes purchased in 2020, are now being used by teachers and staff to travel between both campuses, preventing fossil fuels to be burned during this commute. Currently, the school has a Toyota Proace Electric, a medium-sized van to be used to transport materials, goods, students and staff. In the future, we aim to gradually replace the entire ISZL bus fleet with electric vehicles on both campuses. Thanks to this initiative, multiple electric charging ports have been installed on both campuses. We are working on providing incentives to the school community for electric vehicle purchases.

Reforestation In Iceland

ISZL has partnered with the Icelandic Forestry service as part of a student-led project to plant trees. All types of trees directly sequester and store carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, by storing it in the wood that makes up their trunk. The Icelandic Government is attempting to reforest areas of the island, enabling us to offset carbon emissions by helping them physically and economically. This project grants the ISZL Carbon Fund licensed carbon credits.

  • A PDW is an opportunity where students can set off carbon for a week, this is a student-led project in Iceland, during which our team plans reforestation activities and trail maintenance. Over the past centuries, Iceland has had diminishing forests due to human activity and in 2016 the local government pledged to change that.

    Some of the effects of reforestation include: directly removing CO₂ from the atmosphere, helping to preserve local biodiversity and improving safety on mountain trails, and preventing landslides, as tree roots secure the soil.

    Possibly being one of the most effective methods of carbon sequestration, ISZL is working on creating a trip that involves families from the school community. This allows them to plant trees themselves and become more involved in our offsetting initiative!

Himalayan expedition (GHE)

ISZL is helping remote villages in the Himalayas to become electrified and reduce their carbon footprints by replacing kerosene lamps with solar powered lightning. Through the implementation of solar-powered water heaters as a substitute for kerosene lamps, villagers significantly reduce their daily carbon emissions.

  • ISZL organized the first expedition to the Himalayas in cooperation with the Global Himalayan Expedition to install solar microgrids in remote villages which previously had no access to electricity.

    Solar power provides: A carbon-free energy source, that can substitute kerosene lamps, which release greenhouse gasses, with energy-efficient LEDs. A satellite uplink, which permits computers and a connection to the internet to be installed, expanding children’s access to education.

    Now an annual PDW option for students in G11 and G12, ISZL continues to support the initiative, supplying villages with electricity.