Iceland without specific goals for COP21

The COP21 climate summit begins on November 30 in Paris. Much is at stake if we are to keep global warming under control. Countries are supposed to deliver their climate goals before the meeting starts; so far, out of 195 countries that will be represented at the summit, over 160 have submitted their goals. But not Iceland.

Granted, a few weeks ago it appeared as if we were getting somewhere when Environment Minister Sigrun Magnusdottir told the nation that Iceland’s goals would be outlined a few weeks later. Indeed, at the time we were told that Iceland intended to participate in the joint goals of the EU and Norway, i.e. aiming for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 cf. 1990. But that’s not the same as proposing our own goals.

Now it turns out that Iceland will not decide on a plan until sometime next year.Nevertheless, a large contingent of Icelanders will travel to Paris for the talks.

In point of fact, for Iceland the talks are only half the story, because aluminium plants and other heavy industry come under the Emissions Trading Scheme which will not be discussed at the meeting. And as everyone knows, Iceland currently has three aluminium plants operating as well as a ferrosilicon plant and plans for at least three silicon plants that will also be big polluters.

In the 2007 climate talks, Iceland pushed, successfully, for including wetland restoration as a mitigation measure. But little has been done here since then in that regard.

Many people are feeling positive towards COP21, partly because powerful nations like the US and China have delivered objectives and will take an active part in discussions. But don’t thank Iceland.