Dr. Edda Aradóttir’s journey has taken her from geosciences researcher (earning a PhD in theoretical chemistry) to leading an innovative climate-tech company and being recognized as one of the world’s most influential leaders driving climate action in business.

She was named a TIME100 Climate Leader in Business in 2023 and listed as one of Reuters’ top 25 Trailblazing Women in Climate in 2024.

Edda was born in Aarhus, Denmark, but grew up and studied in Reykjavík, so she has deep roots in Iceland. “This is home,” she says. “And it’s a good place to be for anyone working on green transitions. Iceland has been focused on clean energy for decades.”

Indeed, Iceland’s commitment to clean energy is long-standing and comprehensive. Since the 1970s, the country has systematically reduced its reliance on fossil fuels, driven by both environmental goals and energy security. It was one of the first countries in the world to fully decarbonize its electricity and district heating systems: now, more than 99% of the country’s electricity is generated from renewable sources – primarily hydropower and geothermal energy. Iceland has already completed much of its energy transition, but per capita emissions remain relatively high, primarily due to heavy industry like aluminum and silicon production. “That’s where Carbfix comes in,” Edda says. “We can help decarbonize those hard-to-abate sectors. The emissions don’t come from energy use but from the production process itself. Our solution targets exactly that.” Carbfix’s technology offers a rare combination: permanence, safety and scalability. It doesn’t just store carbon but eliminates it directly on site.

Carbfix started as a collaborative research initiative involving Reykjavík Energy, the University of Iceland, Columbia University and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (the CNRS). Edda, then a PhD student, joined the project in 2007 just as the concept was beginning to take shape. Its goal was ambitious: to take carbon dioxide (CO2) – the leading greenhouse gas driving climate change – and mineralize it underground by accelerating a natural process that normally takes hundreds to thousands of years.

In nature, when CO2-rich rainwater interacts with reactive rocks such as basalt, forms stable carbonate minerals. But Carbfix sought to replicate this slow geochemical process and dramatically accelerate it by injecting CO2 dissolved in water directly into basalt formations. “In Iceland, we can’t inject gas directly because the rocks are too porous,” Edda says. “It would just rise back to the surface. So we developed a method to dissolve CO2 in water and inject it that way. Once underground, it reacts with the basalt and forms solid minerals.”

Edda began her work by creating models that predicted how CO2 would behave underground once injected. From there, she helped with equipment design and early pilot testing of the process. This process, proven in pilot trials starting in 2011, turns the injected CO2 into stone within two years and is now known globally as in-situ carbon mineralization.

The Carbfix team, in collaboration with Swiss clean-tech Climeworks, was also the first to link direct air capture (DAC) technology with carbon sequestration and to transport captured CO2 across borders and oceans, a critical step in proving global scalability. These breakthroughs have drawn international attention, with Carbfix featured on the BCC and CNN as well as in National Geographic, The New York Times, 60 Minutes, PBS Newshour and several Netflix documentaries, including Down to Earth with Zac Efron and What’s Next with Bill Gates.

Carbfix is built on rigorous scientific research, and its climate impact is measurable and verified. The company’s operations are independently certified, ensuring transparency and accountability. In 2019, after more than a decade of R&D, it officially became a standalone company. Today, it partners with industrial emitters, governments and researchers around the world to help mitigate emissions at scale.

However, the path to commercialization wasn’t simple. There were scientific hurdles, such as developing the technology to capture and inject CO2 and also dealing with hydrogen sulfide, a byproduct of geothermal energy that can negatively impact the efficiency of DAC adsorbents. There were also unpredictable challenges, like the time when road construction accidentally damaged their infrastructure while Edda was on maternity leave. “In innovation, you should expect the unexpected,” she says. “And that’s part of the fun too.”

Carbfix has also had to navigate the complexities of scaling a climate technology in a world not yet built for it. Regulatory hurdles are a constant challenge. “We want high standards, of course,” Edda says. “But the frameworks were designed for traditional industrial projects. We need to make them more efficient so we can move faster.” And navigating different regulatory systems, from the European Union to the United States, adds another layer of complexity. “Even within jurisdictions, processes can be long and inefficient. If we want to tackle climate change, we need to streamline them.” These challenges are not unique to Carbfix; they’re something that green tech companies are facing across the globe.

Despite the slow and often frustrating process, Edda has never doubted the technology itself. “Mother Nature has been doing this for millions of years,” she says. “We’re just making it happen faster. And we have to make it work because the future depends on it.” Her personal motivation is clear: “When days are difficult, I think about my kids,” she says. “It’s all for them and future generations. That makes it easy.”

As a researcher, Edda focused on details; as a CEO, she’s learned to embrace the bigger picture, balancing everything from financial planning and compliance to stakeholder engagement and international collaboration. “I loved the science, but I also love what I do now. It helps that I have a deep understanding of the natural and technological processes we’re working with. That gives me a solid foundation.” Being a CEO has also taught her the value of optimism. “This work is full of ups and downs. You have to stay optimistic.”

But optimism alone isn’t enough. As Carbfix has grown, Edda has come to see that the real foundation of progress lies in the team driving it. “It’s all about the people. Of course, leadership matters, but without a good team, you can’t build anything.” From scientists and engineers to project managers and communicators, the Carbfix team reflects the company’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and shared purpose. “The stronger the team, the stronger the company. That’s how we’ve been able to weather challenges and keep moving forward.”

Inclusivity and equality are central to the culture she and the leadership have fostered. “We’ve had a clear focus on diversity from the beginning,” she says. Carbfix currently has an equal gender distribution, and more than 30% of its staff are non-Icelandic. “We’re not perfect, but we’re very mindful. And I believe that’s helped us grow and weather challenges.”

Edda sees her job as not only steering the company’s growth but also inspiring a resilient, mission-driven team. She strives to lead with a clear and strategic vision. “What attracts people is our purpose,” she says. “We’re doing this for the climate, and that’s what brings talent to us.” Under her leadership, Carbfix has expanded its reach beyond Iceland, connecting with global institutions and collaborating with governments. With over a decade of operational experience behind them and backed by a CEO who balances technical knowledge with a strong belief in people and long-term impact, the team continues to break new ground.

When asked about advice to young scientists or aspiring CEOs, Edda recommends that you trust your intuition but welcome the challenge, get the best people around you, and be realistic about timelines. “Set ambitious goals, but build achievable milestones. That’s how you keep moving forward.”

While her week might be busy with strategy meetings, site visits, international conferences and taking part in local community engagement, Edda also prioritizes her homelife and makes time to get her kids to school. When it comes to work– life balance, “It could be better, it could be worse,” she says, laughing. “I love what I do, so it doesn’t feel draining, but I do need to pace myself.”

Living in Iceland means there are many opportunities for relaxing and enjoying the environment. Edda is quick to highlight the pools and hot tubs. “That’s a part of our culture everyone should try.” But for her, the joy of living in Reykjavík goes beyond tradition. On weekends, she enjoys simply slowing down: going for walks by the sea, relaxing in the green spaces near her home, and spending quality time with her family. “It’s not always easy to find balance during the week,” she admits, “but the weekends are when I catch my breath.” She also draws creative inspiration from doing mundane tasks at home, as they distract her from her problem-solving focus, often creating a calm mental space where her best ideas emerge.

With Carbfix expanding in Iceland and beyond, the future looks promising, but Edda is clear-eyed about what’s at stake. “This is about the competitiveness of our economies. It’s about resilience. And it’s about survival. We can’t lose sight of the climate, even in turbulent times. We have to keep going.”

For Edda and her team at Carbfix, this mission is personal, urgent and deeply rooted in both science and place. And Reykjavík, with its geothermal energy, green spaces and culture of climate progress, is the perfect launchpad for solutions that could change the world.

What’s your favorite book?
On Time and Water by Andri Snær Magnason – a powerful Icelandic book on climate change.

What do you do to start the day right?
Have a cup of coffee and make sure the whole family starts the day in a positive atmosphere.

What’s your most used app?
Audiobook players like Storytel.

Favorite place to go for deep work or creative thinking in the city?
The newly renovated Elliðaárstöð is a wonderful location for workshops and team co-creation. 

Favorite place for a business lunch?
The Fish Company.

What museum would you recommend?
I highly recommend Eldheimar, the volcanic museum in the Westman Islands.

What are your favorite places to hang out?
Fossvogsdalur, Elliðaárdalur and Ægissíða [natural areas] for a relaxing walk, a jog or bike tours.

One thing newcomers should purchase on arrival.
Tickets to Icelandic pools and hot tubs: an essential part of local culture.