The Icelandic government has introduced a number of measures which combined, it is hoped, will have a positive impact on reducing Iceland’s effect on climate change.
As reported, the Nordic Statistical Yearbook painted a fairly bleak picture of Iceland’s environmental policies, noting that it is the only Nordic country not reducing greenhouse gas emissions but rather increasing them. The sharpest increase was noted from 2005.
The government’s new plan is to bring greenhouse gas emission levels down to where they were in 2005 by 2020. A bill was introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to this end.
The bill takes a multi-pronged approach to the problem of climate change. It proposes a change in taxes on vehicles and fuel, that government agencies reduce their energy usage, that cleaner forms of transportation – such as biking and walking – be encouraged, and that reforestation be increased, among other ideas. In addition, a joint committee combining ministries and municipalities will ensure that the measures are enforced on a local level.
A vote on the bill is expected shortly.
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