Iceland: environment

What are Iceland's greenhouse gas emissions?

Greenhouse gas emissions from Iceland's economy and households were 6,403 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, 5.4% lower than in 2024, according to preliminary figures in Statistics Iceland's air emission accounts, published 1 September 2026.

The figures cover emissions by Icelandic businesses and households and are preliminary, so they may be revised. Household emissions were unchanged from 2024. The biggest falls came from chemical manufacturing, after the silicon plant at Bakki stopped mid-2025, and from fishing.

Official sources: Statistics Iceland: economy-wide air emission accounts to 2025

Where does Iceland get its energy from?

Electricity made up 40% and district heating 26% of the energy used by Iceland's economy in 2024, according to Statistics Iceland's energy flow accounts, published 25 February 2026. Kerosene and jet fuel were 13%, and diesel and petrol 12%. Total use was 168.7 petajoules.

The accounts count all energy products used, including coal used in metal smelting. Coal was only about 3% of energy use but produced about a third of Iceland's CO2 emissions.

Official sources: Statistics Iceland: energy flow accounts 2024

What are Iceland's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Iceland at 8.5 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 12.0 tonnes; its low point was 2023, at 8.3 tonnes. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Iceland placed 5th highest of 46. Worldwide: 22nd of 186.

What are Iceland's total greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Iceland was 4.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. The peak was 5.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2009 and the low 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Iceland is 46th highest of 46. Worldwide: 152nd of 186.

What share of Iceland's energy comes from renewables?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Iceland at 82.4% in 2021. The peak was 82.9% in 2020 and the low 62.7% in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Iceland placed 1st highest of 50. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 12th highest.

How much of Iceland is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 0.6%. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 51st highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 184th highest.

How polluted is the air in Iceland?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Iceland was 4.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 5.9 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2012, at 4.3 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 50th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 185th highest.

What share of Iceland is protected land?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 20.9%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Iceland is 30th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 80th highest.

Is Iceland short of water?

In 2022, water stress in Iceland was 0.4%, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.2% (2005) to 0.4% (2012). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 12.6%, and Iceland placed 47th highest of 47. Worldwide: 166th of 175.