What’s Happening with the Environment?

Translation: Stefán Ingvar Vigfússon

The author is vice chair of the Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association and a master’s student in Environment and Natural Resources.

Photo / Sædís Harpa Stefánsdóttir

Iceland has stated its intention of being a leader in climate issues and is one of the countries that want to ensure that the global temperature average doesn’t rise more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. But what are Icelandic authorities doing with regard to the climate, and do their actions reflect the leadership position they have taken upon themselves?

The Paris Agreement

Iceland's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement was recently updated. Among other things, an NDC is meant to contain numerical goals for a given country’s emissions reduction goals for 2021-2030. Iceland has joined EU member states plus Norway in pledging to reduce emissions for the area as a whole by 40% before the year 2030, compared to 1990 levels. At the end of last year, the joint goal was updated to 55%. Iceland’s updated NDC confirmed its desire to continue the collaboration with increased ambition. The goal is shared, but each nation is assigned individual obligations. The overarching goal is split into three subcategories: ESR, ETS and LULUCF. Despite the fact that the goal of 55% reduction of gross emissions has been set, the final version of the goal has not been decided, e.g. with regards to the subcategories. If nothing changes, including the algorithms, Iceland would be allocated a goal of reducing emissions by 42% from 2005-2030. This would be Iceland’s direct responsibility (ESR) and include, for instance, emissions from vehicle and ship transport, energy production, agriculture and F-gases. Emissions from heavy industry and air travel fall under the EU’s trade system, so individual countries do not have separate goals in those areas. With regard to emissions from land use and forestry (LULUCF), Iceland may not have a net increase in emissions for certain reference periods.

Of course, Iceland should continue collaborating with other European nations, but it is important to keep in mind that shared goals, which are the result of international negotiation, are always based on the lowest common denominator. Even though Iceland's NDC confirms continued participation toward the common goal, there’s nothing keeping Iceland from setting itself a more ambitious individual goal for emissions reduction. Norway (which is working toward the communal goal) has also set an independent goal. Since Iceland's goal did not reflect the desire of Icelandic officials independent of any external factors, we have yet to see how ambitious they really are when it comes to emissions reduction by the year 2030.

What is the NDC for 2030?

The aforementioned lack of direction can be seen in the lack of legislated emissions reduction goals. One of the government’s long-term goals is for Iceland to be carbon neutral by 2040, which they are planning to make into law. This has been widely criticized by, among others, the Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association, the National Union of Icelandic Students, the University of Iceland Student Council, and the representatives of young people on the Icelandic Climate Council, Mock COP26. For example, one demand from the most recent school strike campaign, Action Now!, was the legislation of a 50% reduction of emissions as well as land use(1) by 2030, but the current measures will only lead to an 18% reduction (or 15%, compared to 2005). It is important to legislate the goal of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to ensure a clear, consistent policy and make sure goals are achieved despite turnover in the government.

In closing

It is clear that despite beautiful promises, Icelandic officials are not doing enough when it comes to the environment. That’s especially true with regard to emissions goals for 2030, which can easily be increased. The longer we wait, the harder and more expensive it becomes to react to climate change. The government's lack of ambition today hands the majority of the responsibility for climate change, as well as its worst consequences, to coming generations. Our future (and the future of other species we share the planet with) is at stake, and we must act now. Of course, it is important that each person contribute and do what they can to change their habits, but we must bear in mind that real progress will not be achieved without government intervention. I want to encourage you, dear reader, to join the fight. You can: 

1. Be vocal on social media, in the media, through the government’s consultation portal, or at the climate strikes (in compliance with ongoing public health guidelines).

2. Participate directly in climate advocacy, e.g. through political movements and NGOs like the Youth Environmentalist Association.

The fight against catastrophic warming is the biggest challenge of our time, and we need all hands on deck. Join us!

(1) Total emissions plus land use includes vehicle and ship emissions, energy production, agriculture, waste, and F-gases, as well as heavy industry emissions.