Green Country Profile: Iceland
There’s a country we could all take cues from. It’s a land where 72% of its total energy consumption is from hydro- and geothermal sources, and has no fossil fuels as a natural resource. This country offers eco-friendly vehicles free parking and exports its sustainability expertise all over the world.
Right at the top of the greenest countries list is Iceland with some impressive environmental accomplishments to boast about. Very few countries out there than can match Iceland’s sustainability; it is deeply ingrained in the people, not just the government or corporations. The pervasiveness of the country’s green movement is part of the culture and tourism, with its most popular tourist attractions being the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa in Reykjavik and the many natural wonders tourists can discover while driving through the Golden Circle. This eco-tourism is widespread, and The Icelandic Tourist Board holds yearly Environmental Awards to recognize attraction/accommodation/tour organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to environmentalism (not surprisingly, the Blue Lagoon is a recent recipient).
Icelandic politics were instrumental in laying down the foundation for this green country, with two major organizations that dictate its environmental projects: The Ministry for the Environment, and the Environment Agency of Iceland. It’s green policies have been laid down for years, including it’s most effective Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Act, 2007 and the Nature Conservation Act, 1999.
Via PR Newswire and Mynatour
Photo courtesy of poptech
