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ICELAND: A STUDY OF SUSTAINABLE

INITIATIVES

MARYLHURST UNIVERSITY

SUS 500PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY

A COLLABORATION OF THE SUS 500 B1 GREEN TEAMAdrian Olson

Cornell University Bachelors of Science in Applied Economics and Business Management

Ken SchefterKansas State UniversityBachelors of Science in Business Management

Brandi ShepardThe Catholic University of AmericaBachelors of Science in Architecture; Construction Management concentration

Craig ThomasSheldon Jackson CollegeBachelors of Science in Aquatic Resources

Lois TrongardUniversity of Wisconsin at MilwaukeeBachelors of Business Administration in Accounting

SUSTAINABILITY IN ICELAND

Scope of the Presentation: Focus on Iceland’s limited resources as it relates to

their high success in sustainability, marking them one of the sustainability leaders in the world.

Detail Iceland’s sustainable initiatives in each of the respective sectors including:

Mindset of the Icelandic people, permeating how they live

Role of government in achieving the voice of its people

Economic practices to ensure resource management

Natural resources used for energy and why they are sustainable

Conservation practices in the environment and tourism

The people of Iceland have always carried a rich, long lasting respect for the environment and own self well-being. Symbolism in language and geography, centered

on the beauty of the landscape

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

The people of Iceland have strong sense of national identity. Working class is identified with national political

movements and parties. Icelanders are self-confident, self-reliant,

independent thinkers, however they are also conservationists.

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

Indicators of historical and current events indicate the overall acceptance of sustainability and conservation. This has been accomplished through social

welfare and change programs Gender equality Ability to organize and assemble freely

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

VOICE OF THE GOVERNMENT

Iceland’s independence: 930 AD: Founding of the Althing (world’s oldest

democratic parliament). 1262-1944: under control of Denmark or Norway. June 16, 1944: full independence for Iceland.

Political Parties: Progressive Party 1916. Independence Party, 1929. Social Democratic Alliance, 1999. Left-Green Party, 1999.

Recent Political Trends showing the rise of the Left-Green Party

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1999 2003 2007 2009

Independence

Social Democratic Alliance (SDA)

Progressive

Left-Green

VOICE OF THE GOVERNMENT

Mainstays of the economy are Iceland’s renewable natural resources: Energy: Hydro and Geothermal Marine Life: Rich Fishing Grounds Agriculture: Pastureland/Green House Crops

Other Industry Resources: Heavy Industry Service - Information Technology

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Per capita, energy consumption in Iceland is one of the highest in the world.

These are sustainable, environmentally friendly, ‘green’ resources, without the atmospheric

emissions of fossil fuel. The energy infrastructure is state-of-the-art, using the latest technology,

with great reliability and efficiency, and is ranked #1 in the world according to the IMD [International

Institute for Management Development].

Source: iceland.org (2010)

HYDRO AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal Energy 90% of Icelandic homes are heated with geothermal

energy Provides 20% of electric needed to support the

country Only 20% of all geothermal power available is

harnessed.

Hydropower Energy 80% of the electricity generated is by using

hydropower and only 20-25% of all hydropower available is harnessed.

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

HYDRO AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO PRESENTS ICELAND’S CLEAN ENERGY APPROACH BY HARNESSING THE “FIRE WITHIN THE EARTH”. CNN’S CHARLES HODSON DISCUSSES GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WITH OIAFAR GRIMSSON, ICELAND’S CURRENT PRESIDENT. If you are unable to view the video, click here.

Marine Products: Fish and fish products constitute half of all Iceland’s exports.

7% of it is gross domestic product

Employs 4.1% of the workforce

Primary types of fish exported are cod, haddock, saithe, redfish, herring and capelin

The fish harvested represents 1.4 million tons worth 128 billion dollars

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

MARINE LIFE

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Agriculture:

Self sufficient in the production of meat, dairy products, eggs and certain vegetables.

Animals: Farms are highly mechanized and use the latest farming

technology. Main animals raised are cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and

poultry. Greenhouse Crops:

Growth of crops using greenhouse production methods. Predominate crops are tomatoes, cucumbers, green

peppers, roses, gerberas, lilies and potted plants.

AGRICULTURE

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Heavy Industry: Renewable hydro and geothermal energy Aluminum Alloy products Machinery and equipment for the fishing

industry

Service: Software Solutions Service – Information Technology

OTHER INDUSTRY

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Soil Conservation Iceland was over half covered in vegetation when it

was first settled 1100 years ago.

Icelandic Soil Conservation Service has been battling erosion since 1907.

The aim of land reclamation is to conserve vegetation and soil, cultivate plants in barren areas, and fortify existing flora.

The fight to reverse erosion will remain a top environmental priority for decades.

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Wetland Conservation Almost half of the wetland areas settled have

been lost Drainage of lowland wetlands has virtually

ceased since 1993. Attempts to reclaim wetland areas have been

moderately successful. Wetland restoration is considered as a viable

option for carbon sequestration.

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Wilderness Protection Iceland is 38% wilderness.

Did not start protecting wilderness areas until 1930.

Currently, 90 areas are protected.

A nature conservation plan will increase these numbers in the near future by close to 20%.

Marine Life Around 300 indigenous species of fish in the

ocean Twenty species from the fishing industries catch, plus

shrimp and lobster.

Freshwater fisheries overseen by the government, but delegated to local fishing associations.

Some fish species’ populations were declining in the late 1990’s.

The government and Marine Research Institute implemented quotas and total allowable catches.

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

ECOTOURISM

Iceland has one of the most diverse portfolios of nature-related activities in the world.

THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS ICELAND’S UNIQUE GEOLOGY THAT PROVIDES RENEWABLE ENERGY TO THE COUNTRY. IT ALSO DISCUSSES ICELAND’S TOURISM INDUSTRY, AND HOW IT HAS IMPACTED THE ENVIRONMENT. If you are unable to view the video, click here.

SUSTAINABILITY PARADIGMS

Future of transportation and fossil fuels Iceland has no reserves of fossil fuels Bragi Arnason first proposed using hydrogen for

fueling vehicles in 1970. 1999 consortium announced plan to make this

vision come true by 2050. First commercial hydrogen fueling station opened

in 2003 to fuel a fleet of hydrogen-powered buses.

Next steps are testing and converting cars, and finally the fishing fleet.

Environmental challenges Managing the large numbers of visitors to the

most popular attractions Especially the national parks and protected areas

that are very sensitive to human traffic. Whaling

Could cause serious harm to whale watching tours and reputation as a sustainable society

Nature vs. Business Balancing unspoiled lands against the economic

growth in the country

SUSTAINABILITY PARADIGMS

Climate Change Strategy, 2007 Fulfill obligations of the Kyoto Protocol GHG emissions will be reduced 50-75% by 2050 Attempt to utilize carbon sequestration

Revegetation Afforestation Wetland reclamation Land-use changes

Support research and innovations related to climate change & renewable energy

Prepare to adapt to climate change

SUSTAINABILITY PARADIGMS

ICELAND: A STUDY OF SUSTAINABLE

INITIATIVES

MARYLHURST UNIVERSITY

SUS 500PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY

REFERENCES

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"Althing." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: Http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Althing.html

Benassi, A. (2006). Welfare for the Future - Iceland's National Strategy for Sustainable Development. Retrieved April 18, 2010, from Ministry for the Environment - Publications: Http://eng.umhverfisraduneyti.is/publications

Bindloss, J. & Harding. P. (2004). Lonely Planet Iceland. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd.

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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2009, October 21). National greenhouse gas inventory data for the period 1990-2007. Retrieved April 26, 2010, from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/sbi/eng/12.pdf

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