Introducing the Concept of Sustainable Geothermal Utilization into Icelandic Legislation

Abstract

In this study the term sustainable geothermal utilization is discussed, based on the principles of sustainable development, and legal implementation suggested in the form of mending a derivative regulation from laws that are already in place. The development of a comprehensive assessment framework of sustainability indicators is introduced taking into consideration economic prosperity, environment and social justice. Sustainable development as defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This definition is inherently vague, and is often understood in various ways. In an attempt to link sustainable development to the management of geothermal resources two approaches are introduced; weak sustainability which assumes the validity of growth and places equal importance on environment, social justice and economic prosperity and strong sustainability having the environment as a foundation to social justice and economic prosperity. In simple terms, strong sustainability focuses on the viability and health of the geothermal system to sustain exploitation, whereas weak sustainability believes in economic forces and technological advances. In this paper the main methods of sustainable geothermal utilization are outlined. Those methods have also been categorized as either weak or strong sustainable approaches.