Glacier Mice Sustainability Policy

1. Our Approach to Sustainability

Glacier Mice is a local Icelandic glacier tour operator established in 2015. Our activities take place in and around one of Iceland’s most distinctive natural environments, and we recognise that operating there brings responsibilities as well as opportunities.

For Glacier Mice, sustainability means considering the long-term effects of our decisions on the environment, our guests, employees, local communities and the future of glacier tourism.

We aim to operate responsibly, improve where practical and make decisions that support safe, professional and sustainable tourism over the long term.

2. Protecting the Places We Visit

Breiðamerkurjökull and the surrounding landscape are the foundation of the experiences we provide. We therefore consider protection of the natural environment an important part of responsible tourism.

Our guides encourage responsible behaviour and help guests understand that glaciers are dynamic natural environments rather than permanent attractions.

We seek to minimise unnecessary disturbance and to operate in a way that respects applicable access requirements, protected areas and the natural landscape.

3. Local Knowledge & Responsible Guiding

Sustainable tourism depends not only on where tours take place, but also on how they are operated.

We place importance on guide training, local knowledge, appropriate group management and understanding the changing conditions of Breiðamerkurjökull.

Guides also have an important educational role. By explaining the glacier environment and encouraging responsible behaviour, we aim to help visitors experience the area with greater understanding and respect.

4. Supporting the Local Community

Glacier Mice is based in Southeast Iceland and our operations are closely connected to the Jökulsárlón and Hornafjörður area.

We believe tourism should create value for the communities in which it operates. Where practical, we seek to maintain local relationships and support services, employment and economic activity within the region.

Maintaining a strong connection between tourism businesses and local communities is an important part of building a resilient tourism sector.

5. Employment & Professional Development

Our guides and staff are central to the quality and sustainability of our operations.

We aim to support a professional working environment in which employees and guides can develop their skills, gain experience and contribute to safe and responsible operations.

Training, local knowledge, communication and learning from operational experience all contribute to maintaining professional standards over time.

6. Safety as Part of Sustainability

We consider safety and sustainability closely connected. Responsible tourism cannot be sustainable if operational pressure overrides appropriate risk management or professional judgement.

Our tours are supported by documented safety planning, risk assessment, trained guides and procedures for responding to changing conditions.

More information about our approach is available in the Glacier Mice Safety Policy.

7. Transport & Operational Efficiency

Transport is an important part of glacier tourism, particularly where access between meeting points and glacier areas requires specialised vehicles.

We aim to operate our transport and tour logistics efficiently while maintaining the access, capacity and safety requirements of our activities.

Vehicle use, maintenance, route planning, group organisation and operational efficiency are therefore relevant considerations in our approach to sustainability.

Glacier Mice has worked with Kolviður through a carbon offsetting agreement since 2020 as part of our efforts to address the environmental impact associated with our operations.

8. Resources & Waste

We aim to use equipment and resources responsibly and to reduce unnecessary waste where practical.

Durable equipment should be maintained and kept in service where it remains suitable and safe. Equipment that reaches the end of its useful life should be handled responsibly where suitable options are available.

Guests and staff are expected not to leave litter or unnecessary waste in the glacier environment.

9. Education & Awareness

A guided glacier tour is also an opportunity to help visitors better understand the landscape they are experiencing.

Where appropriate, our guides share information about glacier features, natural processes, changing conditions and responsible behaviour in the environment.

We believe that greater understanding can encourage greater respect for glaciers and the landscapes surrounding them.

10. Working with Partners

Glacier Mice works with travel companies, booking partners and other organisations as part of our tourism operations.

We aim to maintain professional relationships and communicate clearly about the standards, requirements and practical realities involved in operating glacier tours responsibly.

Where possible, we encourage partners and suppliers to support responsible practices consistent with the principles of this policy.

11. Adapting to a Changing Glacier Environment

Breiðamerkurjökull is constantly changing. Routes, access points, glacier features and ice caves can change over time, and tourism operations must be able to adapt accordingly.

We do not regard a particular route or natural feature as permanent. Our operations must respond to the landscape as it changes rather than attempting to make the landscape conform to fixed expectations.

This principle is important for both safety and responsible long-term operation.

12. Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is an ongoing process rather than a fixed achievement.

We aim to review our practices as our operations develop and as better information, technology and practical solutions become available.

Future improvements may include more detailed measurement and targets in areas where reliable information can support meaningful action.