Festa - Center for Sustainability

What Festa - Center for Sustainability does

Festa - miðstöð um sjálfbærni (Festa - Center for Sustainability) is an Icelandic non-governmental non-profit association founded in 2011 by six major corporate actors: Islandsbanki, Landsbankinn, Landsvirkjun, Rio Tinto Alcan Íslandi, Síminn, and Össur (now Embla Medical). The organization operates as a membership-based sustainability platform that brings together nearly 200 Icelandic companies, institutions, municipalities, universities, and civil-society organizations to advance corporate social responsibility, climate action, circular-economy practices, and ESG capability. Festa functions as a bridge-builder between Icelandic business, government, and academia, and connects domestic members to international networks including the UN Global Compact (since 2012), CSR Europe, and Nordic Circular Hotspot (as a founding member).

Festa's product surface combines proprietary tools, structured guides, and event programming. The core proprietary technology is Loftslagsmælir Festu (ClimatePulse), a free climate-measurement tool designed for Icelandic SMEs to take initial carbon-footprint steps using internationally recognized metrics adapted for Icelandic conditions. The organization also publishes thematic Vegvísir guides covering social sustainability, biodiversity, and EU/EES sustainability legislation and disclosure obligations. Event products include the annual Janúarráðstefna conference (held since 2013 at Harpa, recognized as Iceland's largest annual sustainability event), Tengslafundir member-hosted networking meetings, Deiglufundir online melting-pot sessions, and the Loftslagsleiðtogar CEO climate-leaders initiative. Festa also partnered with Climate Interactive and MIT to deploy the EN-ROADS climate simulator in executive workshops.

Festa's revenue model is a tiered annual subscription based on member organization size and type. Fees range from 64,600 ISK for sole proprietors and non-profits, scaling through 131,400 ISK (2-15 employees), 231,550 ISK (16-49 employees), 342,500 ISK (50-199), 681,750 ISK (200-499), 816,350 ISK (500-999), and 953,145 ISK (1,000+ employees), with educational institutions at 231,550 ISK and a Kjölfesta anchor tier at 1,000,000 ISK. Fees are adjusted annually to the Icelandic consumer price index. Distribution is direct: organizations join via the Festa website or by contacting the office, headquartered at Menntavegur 1 on Reykjavik University's campus. A 13-person core staff (Executive Director, Project Manager, Communications Manager, Sustainability Expert) executes the program, with governance provided by a board elected at the Annual General Meeting and currently chaired by Erla Ósk Ásgeirsdóttir.

Name

Festa - Center for Sustainability

Legal name

Festa - miðstöð um sjálfbærni

Website

https://sjalfbaer.is

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Festa is an Icelandic non-profit membership association founded in 2011 that brings together nearly 200 companies, municipalities, universities, and institutions to advance sustainability, climate action, and ESG practices through tools, guides, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Services and Membership Networking

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• Corporate social responsibility
• Climate measurement tools
• ESG advisory services
• Circular economy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Reykjavik

HQ country

Iceland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees invoiced once per year. Fees are based on organization type and size. Fees are adjusted annually according to the consumer price index.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Festa operates a membership-based sustainability platform serving nearly 200 Icelandic companies, institutions, municipalities, and universities. It delivers value through networking events, the annual Janúarráðstefna conference, sustainability training workshops, ESG and legislative guidance, and the free Loftslagsmælir (ClimatePulse) carbon measurement tool. The organization functions as Iceland's leading bridge between business, government, and academia on corporate social responsibility and circular economy.

Product overview

Festa - Center for Sustainability operates as a membership-based organization rather than a software product company. The organization provides a platform for collaboration, education, and networking focused on sustainability. Key offerings include the Loftslagsmælir (Climate Meter) - a free carbon footprint measurement tool, various sustainability guides and frameworks, and regular events including the annual Janúarráðstefna conference, networking meetings, and Melting Pot online sessions. The organization connects nearly 200 member companies, institutions, and municipalities through workshops, educational programs, and sustainability frameworks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Loftslagsmælir (ClimatePulse) - Climate Measurement Tool A free carbon footprint measurement tool designed for small and medium-sized Icelandic enterprises to measure and track their climate impact, built on internationally recognized metrics and adapted for Icelandic conditions. Developed by companies in collaboration with Reykjavíkurborg.
• Janúarráðstefna Festu (Annual January Conference) Annual flagship sustainability conference held in Harpa, Reykjavík, bringing together leaders and change-makers across sectors; features international speakers, networking, and 'Trúnó-pör' (conversation pairs). Sold out annually.
• Tengslafundir (Networking Meetings) Regular member-hosted events where organizations share sustainability experiences, best practices, and challenges in sustainable business operations.
• Deiglufundir (Melting Pot Meetings) Online meetings addressing timely topics in sustainability, where member organizations share expertise with fellow members.
• Vegvísir um félagslega sjálfbærni (Guide on Social Sustainability) A published guide that highlights key aspects of social sustainability to help companies and other organizations understand the main topics in the field.
• Vegvísir um líffræðilega fjölbreytni (Guide on Biodiversity) A guide published in October 2023 to support Icelandic businesses in addressing biodiversity challenges.
• Vegvísir um lög og upplýsingagjöf (Guide on Legislation and Disclosure) A guide covering EU sustainability legislation and EEA agreement regulations, including new legal requirements and methodologies for sustainable operations.
• Loftslagsleiðtogar Festu (Climate Leaders Programme) A coalition of CEOs from member companies who have set ambitious and targeted goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; includes advocacy and public statements such as the ETS resolution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 200 member organizations representing diverse Icelandic industries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Festa has been a participant in the UN Global Compact since 2012. Members are required to submit annual progress reports (Communication on Progress) on their social responsibility policies. The network is based on 10 principles covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
• CSR EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR Europe is the European association of centers for social responsibility and sustainability. Festa is a member, connecting Icelandic businesses with European sustainability networks.
• Nordic Circular HotspotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic Circular Hotspot connects businesses across the Nordic countries to share knowledge and accelerate circular economy transition. Festa is one of the founding members.
• Nordic InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic Innovation supported the development of the Nordic Circular Economy Playbook and other Nordic circular economy initiatives that Festa participates in.
• Climate Interactive / MITminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFesta uses the EN-ROADS climate simulator developed by Climate Interactive and MIT for workshops with business leaders and government officials on climate action planning.
• Embla Medical / ÖssurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmbla Medical participated in the Nordic Circular Design Programme led by Ethica Finland in collaboration with Nordic Innovation, Cradlenet, NCCE, Dansk Design Center and Festa.
• Greenlandic partners (delegation visit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenlandic partners visited Iceland for a knowledge exchange trip, visiting member organizations including Landsvirkjun, Arion Bank, Icelandair, Isavia, and Marel to learn about sustainability implementation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Carbon Trust: International climate and sustainability advisory organization offering certification, measurement tools, and advisory to corporates and governments. The Carbon Trust's measurement products (e.g., carbon footprint certifications) are an analog to Festa's Loftslagsmælir (Climate Meter) tool, while its policy and advisory work parallels Festa's advocacy.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): Global CEO-led organization of ~200+ sustainable businesses working on ESG advocacy and tools. Festa's Iceland-centric model of mobilizing Iceland's largest corporations around sustainability ambition mirrors WBCSD's broader membership positioning and tools-development strategy, just at national scale.
• UN Global Compact (Local Networks): UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, with a participation framework Festa joined in 2012. National and regional Local Networks operate analogous membership/governance models focused on the 10 principles and annual Communication on Progress reporting - directly comparable governance and member-engagement playbook.
• B Lab (B Corp Global): Non-profit certifying and supporting B Corp companies globally, with national chapters and partner organizations in many countries. Operates a similar governance/playbook to Festa - certifying member companies, providing standards and advocacy - but at global scale and with a more developed certification product.

Emerging players

• Business for Social Responsibility (BSR): Global sustainable business network and consultancy working with member companies on ESG strategy, climate, and human rights. Comparable model: corporate membership + advisory services + working groups + collaboration networks - a more mature and globally scaled version of Festa's offering.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused entrepreneurship hubs and a community for purpose-driven businesses. Comparable to Festa in mobilizing a membership-based community around sustainability, though focused on entrepreneurs and innovators rather than established corporates.

Direct peers

• Nordic Circular Hotspot: Nordic cross-country circular economy initiative of which Festa is a founding member. Connects Nordic businesses, governments, and designers around circular economy transition, sharing knowledge and running flagship programs (e.g., the Nordic Circular Design Programme that Embla Medical participated in via Festa).
• CSR Europe: European association of national CSR/sustainability centers of which Festa is a member. Operates as a peer-of-peers umbrella federation connecting country-level sustainability organizations across Europe with corporate members, advocacy, and policy engagement - the exact analog of Festa's role inside Iceland.

Others

• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): Collaboration between CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI and WWF defining corporate climate target standards. Festa's Climate Leaders initiative and tool offerings (Loftslagsmælir) are downstream of the SBTi methodology framework, positioning SBTi as a quasi-supplier/standards body for Festa's sustainability programming.

Regional players

• Danish Climate Council / Concito (and similar Nordic sustainability hubs): Concito is Denmark's independent green think tank providing climate research, policy advice, and corporate engagement. Functions as a national sustainability platform with corporate partnerships, working groups, and events - a near-perfect structural analog to Festa, but operating in Denmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@festa9431
• Instagraminstagram.com/festa_midstod_umsjalfbaerni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/festa-icelandic-center-for-sustainability

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Festa - Center for Sustainability