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The indicator shows the trend in total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding those from the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. For comparison, two index lines (1990 value = 100) are included: the first refers to country specific emissions, while the second expresses total EU emissions.
GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) have increased from 3.7 Mt CO2eq in 1990 to 4.65 Mt CO2eq in 2023 (+ 25%). Emissions rose from 1990 until 2008 and have decreased since. The decrease in emissions from 2005 is just under 10%. The main reason for the rise until 2008 was a big growth in the metal industry in Iceland. The decrease after 2008 is due to the financial crisis in 2008 and electrification of cars, among other reasons, but in spite of a significant growth in population and a surge in tourism.
The main emission sources (excluding LULUCF) include metal production (39.2%), road transport (20%), agriculture (15%) and fishing ships (10.5%). LULUCF is a net source of emissions, mainly due to legacy emissions from drained wetlands (see above).
Iceland is a party to the Paris Agreement and is working with the EU to reach its 2030 emission reduction targets. Iceland has also set a carbon neutrality target for 2040. The government released a new climate action plan in June 2024, presenting 150 mitigating actions, covering all emissions, including household and transport emissions, the emissions trading system (ETS) (mainly heavy industry and aviation) and land use, as well as cross-cutting issues.