Let’s protect Iceland’s wilderness and nature
Let’s reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration with funding of swift actions
Let’s ensure fair resource fees for the public and keep energy resources and infrastructure in public ownership
Environmental Conservation as a Priority
- Iceland’s nature is unique. Protected areas must be expanded to cover at least 30% of land and marine regions by 2030, in accordance with international commitments.
- A network of national parks and protected wilderness areas should be established, encompassing regions such as the central highlands, Breiðafjörður Bay, and the Vestfirðir highlands.
- Iceland’s land-use policy should promote sustainable practices that emphasise ecosystem protection and restoration, including forests, shrublands, moorlands, and wetlands.
- Hunting of whales and other marine mammals in Icelandic waters should be prohibited.
- Farmers are the stewards of the land and need strengthened support to base their livelihoods on conservation, including preservation and restoration of land resources and management of protected areas.
- A comprehensive legal framework for aquaculture is needed, along with more protected zones, such as Eyjafjörður and Öxarfjörður, environmental incentives, and a clear timeline for phasing out open-sea fish farming.
- The public, especially young people, should be directly involved in decisions about environmental and resource-related issues, and the legal status of nature conservation organisations must be safeguarded according to the Aarhus Convention.
Resource Management in Harmony with Nature and Society
- Energy resources and infrastructure should be publicly owned, and the country’s energy resources should be used to meet Iceland’s general energy needs and support the national energy transition.
- Fair fees should be imposed on the use of public resources, including land, energy, wind, marine resources, and more.
- The constitution should include specific provisions for resource management and environmental protection.
- Iceland should oppose energy export via cables or fuel and prevent cryptocurrency mining within the country.
- A clear policy is needed on the use of wind energy on land and sea, restricting land-based wind farms to already disturbed areas.
- Innovation that supports a circular economy should be encouraged, along with incentives to reduce resource waste, increase reuse and recycling, and repurpose waste from one production process as materials for other products. Waste generation should be minimised through stricter standards and support for producers.
- Good agricultural land should be protected and dedicated to sustainable food production.
Climate Issues and Solutions
- Iceland should set a legally binding goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, define carbon neutrality goals by 2040, establish a holistic climate strategy, accelerate actions, and take additional measures to achieve these goals, including increased funding for climate actions.
- Iceland should lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, with a specifically timed and funded plan for emissions reductions related to land use, the phasing-out of fossil fuels by 2040, and the energy transition in transport, heavy freight, aquaculture, agriculture, and construction. Iceland should also consider banning fossil fuel advertisements.
- Greenwashing should be legally punishable, and emissions from product manufacturing and consumption should be reduced. Innovation and technology solutions such as carbon capture and storage should be further supported in the fight against climate change.
- The pollution compensation principle must be implemented across all policymaking to ensure that those who pollute bear the associated costs.
- The construction of walking and biking paths should be accelerated, with laws established to support public transportation, ensure its energy transition, enhance services nationwide, and make them accessible for people with mobility challenges. The Borgarlína transit project should be expedited, and immediate support from the government is needed to strengthen Strætó public transit. Ecological connection between the capital area and Keflavík Airport should be prioritised.
- All food production in Iceland should be carbon-neutral by 2040 and contribute to improved public health. Iceland’s food production should ensure food security and be a leader in producing environmentally friendly and health-promoting foods.
Nature and climate protection actions must be radical. Measures for conservation and climate should be transformative, ensuring a fair transition and supporting the development of a carbon-neutral circular economy.