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03. Dec 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Icelandic flora, funga and fauna

Icelandic flora, funga and fauna Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate The fauna of Iceland numbers thousands of species. Research show that most species living in Iceland seem to have arrived almost exclusively from Europe, with a few exceptions from North America. The Icelandic institute of natural history research on bugs (invertebrates) shows that Arthropods are the most species-rich invertebrate phyla in Iceland, with over 2000 species

03. Nov 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Revegetation and landcare

Revegetation and landcare Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate The role of the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCSI) has increasingly been aimed at providing guidance and facilitating participation in landcare and restoration work. About 600 famers, including 20% of the nation’s sheep farmers, and a number of other land users are participating in the soil conservation work under the theme, “Farmers Heal the Land”. Numerous organizations and volunteers also participate with the SCSI in co-operative tasks, many of whom are supported through the SCSI‘s Land Improvement Fund

03. Nov 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Pollution prevention

Hugi Ólafsson Pollution prevention Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate he government plays an important role in ensuring healthy living conditions in Iceland, in part by adopting laws and rules on reference limits for pollution, pollution control, industrial operating requirements and monitoring. In so doing, an attempt is made to prevent or reduce pollution which could negatively affect the quality of human life or conditions for other life forms. All industrial activity which could result in pollution must have a valid operating license, stating among other things reference limits for pollutants and pollution prevention, monitoring, measurement and research

03. Nov 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

International cooperation

International cooperation Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Icelandic nature is truly of high global importance. Since 1964, Iceland has been a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO´s aim is to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity

03. Nov 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Adaptation

Adaptation Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Iceland has considerable experience in the risk management of natural hazards and the many of the risks associated with climate change impacts can be dealt with using existing policy tools. The increased runoff due to glacier melt will lead to a temporary (few decades) increase in potential hydropower, but current powerplants and electricity distribution system will not capture more than a fraction of the increase. Changes to the system to capture the increase are planned

03. Nov 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

International cooperation

International cooperation Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit. Iceland signed the convention at the conference, and it entered into force in the country in 1994. The Convention has three objectives: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of genetic resources

03. Nov 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Research and monitoring

Research and monitoring Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate There are several institutions responsible for research, monitoring and responding to changes of the Icelandic biota. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History (IINH) conducts basic research on the zoology and botany of Iceland, handles systematic documentation of the nature and manages research findings and specimens in scientific collections. Thus, the IINH maintains databases on nature in Iceland and maintains a broad overview of nature conservation and natural resource allocation as well as providing advice and instruction thereon

03. Sep 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Travellers and nature

Hugi Ólafsson Travellers and nature Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Natural and cultural heritage sites are among the main tourist attractions in Iceland, and a major factor in the rapid increase in foreign travellers in Iceland in recent years. Travel services are a major industry utilising Icelandic nature resources and, as a result, place a large number of locations under pressure. Icelanders are also enjoying outdoor leisure in increasing measure

08. Jun 2026Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Foreign Affairs, Statements, Other, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Green Group World Ocean Day Communiqué

08 June 2026 / Statements Ministry for Foreign Affairs Green Group World Ocean Day Communiqué Green Group Communiqué on World Ocean Day, 8 June 2026 On World Ocean Day, we recognize and celebrate the ocean—Earth’s most vital life-support system and an irreplaceable resource that deserves immediate and sustained protection. Our ocean covers over 71% of Earth’s surface and is fundamental to planetary health. It regulates our climate, absorbs approximately a third of human-produced carbon dioxide, and generates more than half of the oxygen we breathe

22. Mar 2026Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Speeches and Articles, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Foreign Affairs, Climate Change, Statements, Other

Joint GREEN GROUP Article on World Water Day 2026

22 March 2026 / Ministry for Foreign Affairs Statements Joint GREEN GROUP Article on World Water Day 2026 A recent UN report warns that the world has reached a state of water bankruptcy. While not all countries are water bankrupt, enough critical systems around the world have crossed these thresholds, affecting all of us due to our interconnectedness through trade, migration, climate feedback and geopolitical dependencies. Water underpins public health, human security and prosperity, food and energy security, biodiversity, environmental resilience, climate stability and peace

18. Dec 2025Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Foreign Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Iceland ratifies the BBNJ Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity beyond National Jurisdiction

Yesterday, Iceland deposited its instrument of ratification of the BBNJ Agreement with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in time for its upcoming entry into force on 17 January 2026.

06. Oct 2022Reports, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate

The State and Challenges of Energy Affairs

06 October 2022 / Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate The State and Challenges of Energy Affairs The State and Challanges of Energy Affairs with reference to the government's climate action targets and emphases Tags Environment Climate and Nature Protection Natural Resources Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Go back

24. Nov 2021Ministry of Industries, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Prime Ministers Office, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Climate Change, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

COP26 results a cause for optimism, says Iceland‘s Environment Minister

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Iceland‘s Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, says that the final results of COP26 in Glasgow is a source of optimism for the most urgent task of the 21st Century: To avert a climate catastrophe.

12. Mar 2021Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Minister calls for a global agreement on plastic pollution

Plastic pollution in the Arctic shows that plastic in the oceans is a vast and global problem that calls for an international response. This was the message of Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, in his closing address at the International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and the Sub-Arctic Region, held by the Government of Iceland and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

28. Jan 2021Climate Change, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Increased efforts for climate adaptation, nature-based solutions

Mr. Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, emphasized nature-based solutions like afforestation, revegetation, and reclamation of wetlands in his address at the Climate Adaptation Summit held on January 25th. Such solutions create synergies, as they benefit climate, biodiversity and development, and help combat desertification, Mr. Guðbrandsson said.

22. Dec 2020Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Climate Change, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Reports

Iceland's National Plan

22 December 2020 / Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Iceland's National Plan Issued in accordance with Declaration related to the Decision of EEA Joint committee No 269/2019 of 25th October 2019. Iceland's National Plan Tags Environment Climate and Nature Protection Climate Change Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Go back

23. Nov 2020Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Climate Change, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Iceland‘s National Plan on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions made available to ESA

The Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources has made available to The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) Iceland‘s Nation Plan, which describes how Iceland intends to fulfil the commitments of reducing greenhouse gas emissions jointly with the European Union and Norway in accordance with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

02. Oct 2020Foreign Affairs, Climate Change, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Icelandic Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources address UN Summit on Biodiversity

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, the Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, emphasized ecosystem protection and restoration in his address at the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity held in connection with the 75. UN General Assembly on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

28. Sep 2020Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Declaration of Intent on Funds for the Maintenance of Sustainable Development

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, together with parties constituting the majority of the Icelandic financial market have signed a declaration of intent on the use of funds to maintain sustainable development while bearing in mind Iceland's international obligations and the standards set by the Icelandic government.

23. Jun 2020Climate Change, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Children, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

New Climate Action Plan - Iceland will fulfil its commitments and more

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson and Minister of Transport and Local Government Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson presented the second version of the Climate Action Plan today.

06. Dec 2019Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Regulation banning the use of heavy fuel oil in the territorial sea of Iceland

The Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources has issued a regulation tightening fuel requirements, which effectively bans the use of heavy fuel oil in the territorial sea of Iceland. The regulation is intended to promote improved air quality in harbours and coastal areas and conforms with the government’s coalition agreement and climate action plan.

09. Oct 2019Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Foreign Affairs, Arctic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

First joint meeting between the Arctic Council and the Arctic Economic Council

The Arctic Council and the Arctic Economic Council hold their first joint meeting today in Reykjavik, bringing together government representatives of the eight Arctic States, business representatives, as well as representatives of the indigenous Permanent Participants, and the Councils’ respective Working Groups.

09. Sep 2019Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Climate Change, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Land restoration essential for mitigating the climate crisis - letter of intent signed

On 8 September 2019, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, and Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Agency (UNEP), signed a letter of intent on cooperation of Iceland and UNEP in the field of land restoration.

Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Biological diversity

Biological diversity Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Protection of biological diversity in Iceland aims at strengthening and preserving for the future those species which have from its earliest days created Icelandic nature and have thrived in the country for millennia, and to prevent the extinction of species through human activities. Icelandic flora, funga and fauna Research and monitoring International cooperation What is biological diversity? Useful links Agencies Icelandic Institute of Natural HistoryMarine and Freshwater Research InstituteNature Conservation Agency of IcelandVatnajökull National ParkÞingvellir National Park International Cooperation

Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Climate change

Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Environment Climate and Nature Protection Climate change Iceland aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2040 and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 under the Paris agreement. A Climate action plan, updated in 2024, contains 150 actions and is Iceland‘s main policy instrument to reach its goals of cutting emissions and reach carbon neutrality. Iceland‘s emissions profile is in many ways unusual

Environment Climate and Nature Protection

National parks and other protected areas

Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Environment Climate and Nature Protection National parks and other protected areas Iceland is full of unique natural features. The geologically young island sits on the Mid-Atlantic ridge tectonic plate, which separates the Eurasian and the North American plates. This results in molten lava from beneath the Earth´s crust constantly pushing upwards making Iceland volcanically active

Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Waste treatment

Waste treatment Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate In Iceland local authorities determine the arrangements for collection of household and industrial waste in their community and adopt regional waste treatment plans. The Minister of the environment, energy and climate sets national policy on waste treatment and waste prevention for the country as a whole, while the Icelandic environment and energy agency is responsible for enforcement of legislation on waste treatment. Treatment of waste is aimed at minimising its production and utilising resources optimally through waste prevention measures, reusing whatever is possible, recycling of waste materials, utilisation of waste for energy production and finally disposal where no other routes are possible

Environment Climate and Nature Protection

Environment, climate and nature protection

Environment, climate and nature protection Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate The Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate is responsible for most matters concerning environmental protection and nature conservation. However, environmental issues are often cross-sectoral, as most industries and other human activities generally impact the natural environment. As a result, many issues fall under the responsibility of several ministries or are subject to inter-ministerial co-ordination