National parks and biodiversity
Iceland has three national parks that combine environmental preservation with public access. They are criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails that will delight nature lovers and lovers of wide open spaces. On the seaside, there's good news for whaling, which could soon cease once and for all in Iceland, one of the world's last three whaling nations. Reasons for this include the health crisis, which has led to a drop in exports, low local consumption of whales (mainly by tourists), and greater environmental awareness and profitability for whale-watching trips... rather than hunting.
Vatnajökull National Park : located in the south-east of the country, it is the result of the merger of two former national parks (Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur) and represents 10% of the territory. It protects remarkable ecosystems: the Vatnajökull glacier and ice cap, the Skaftafell mountains, the Skeiðarásandur plain, the Lakagígar crater, as well as the canyons and basaltic columns of Jökulsárgljúfur.
Snaefellsjökull National Park: located at the western tip of the country, between oceans and mountains, it preserves ecosystems linked to the volcanic and glacial context and is home to numerous birds. The breathtaking scenery will delight the most adventurous, who, with a guide, will climb the Snæfellsjökull glacier, celebrated in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Thingvellir National Park : located in the south-west of the country, at the crossroads of the European and American tectonic plates, Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park protects exceptional biodiversity, particularly in its lake ecosystems (Þingvallavatn and Thingvellir). It's also an area rich in history, home to the world's first parliament.
From clearing to afforestation
As soon as the Vikings settled the area, it began to be deforested for building and grazing. In 2015, the territory had only 0.5% of forest left, a situation that leads to problems of soil erosion and loss of biodiversity, and does not help to fight against climate change. In response to this situation, reforestation policies have been implemented since the 1950s. Between 2015 and 2019, more than three million trees have been replanted in the country. Afforestation is based on plantations that include local species (downy birch) but also exogenous species such as Sitka spruce or Alaskan poplars. Ongoing climate change, with rising temperatures, would increase the growth of trees and thus constitute a more important carbon storage.
Energy and climate issues
Climate change is threatening Iceland's glaciers, as will Okjökull, the country's first disappearing glacier, in 2019. A commemorative plaque has been placed at the site to draw attention to the climate situation. Although Iceland produces 100% renewable energy (geothermal, hydroelectric and wind power) and consumes over 70% renewable energy, it remains a major emitter of greenhouse gases, far from the carbon-neutral targets to which it committed under the Paris Agreement. Emissions are mainly linked to the transport sector. Mobility in the country is dependent on fossil fuels (motor vehicles and aircraft). Although the country has no railroads, it does have 98 airports and numerous domestic routes, not to mention flights by tourists from all over the world. In 2016, the aviation sector was the country's biggest emitter, accounting for 33% ofCO2 emissions. Other sectors with a significant carbon footprint include tourism and industry, agriculture and fishing, as well as agri-food, linked to imports. The 2008 crisis began to reverse this trend, highlighting the need to move towards food self-sufficiency. Since then, we've seen the development of short, local circuits, "from farm to fork". Another important point is the increase in the country's energy consumption, to be put in perspective with greenhouse gas emissions, but also with the limits to the exploitation of renewable energies. The construction of new dams and boreholes is energy-intensive and contributes to the destruction of natural environments. An experimental deep well, THOR, was completed in 2017. Dam projects are attracting increasing attention, given the threats they pose to both biodiversity and tourism. Exports of waste (plastic, paper) destined for processing outside the country contribute to the increase in maritime traffic and its emissions. Concrete steps have been taken to limit the consumption of fossil fuels, such as the ban on the use of heavy fuel oil for ships, which came into force in 2020. In addition to the deleterious effects on health, the particles emitted, by settling on glaciers, contribute to accelerating their melting. Financial measures have also been introduced, such as an increase in the carbon tax. Iceland, which has set a target of 100% renewable energy consumption by 2050, is also considering the development of hydrogen.
Impacts related to the aluminium industry
As the world's eleventh-largest producer of aluminium, the region is affected by the environmental impact of this industry. The manufacturing process is very energy-intensive and requires the construction of dams with large water reservoirs, often built in fragile natural environments rich in biodiversity. The metals used (bauxite) are imported from Europe, Australia or the United States, and the aluminium produced will in turn be exported, which generates environmental impacts. Lastly, aluminium production leads to significant environmental pollution.
