Deputy Head of Mission, Iceland Embassy
Iceland is called the land of fire and ice. It is an island of striking variations in climate, geography, and culture and is the home to sparkling glaciers, ruggedly beautiful mountain ranges, and the offshore Gulf Stream. Check to know more-
Tell us three must-do things in the ‘land of fire and Ice’. What makes it so special?
Iceland is famous for being called the Land of Fire and Ice because of its volcanoes and glaciers. It is dotted with natural wonders such as Natural hotsprings, Waterfalls, Summernights that never end and the Northern Lights. Iceland is also known for its rich cultural history, Norse mythology, folklore, and having no official family names!
Iceland is ranked one of the eco-friendliest countries in the world. Tell us the key plans to make Iceland a carbon-neutral country.
Iceland aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2040 and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. A Climate Action Plan, updated in 2020, contains 48 actions and is Iceland‘s main policy instrument to reach its goals of cutting emissions and reach carbon neutrality.
Iceland‘s emissions profile is in many ways unusual. Almost all heating and electricity generation is provided for by renewables – hydro and geothermal energy. Iceland has great potential for carbon uptake from the atmosphere by afforestation and revegetation, and to curb emissions from soils by reclaiming drained wetlands. The biggest sources of emissions (outside land use) are industrial processes, road transport, agriculture, fisheries and waste management.
Pick one. Mountain or beaches.
Nauthólsvík, the Geothermal Beach (Yes, we heat up the ocean)
The favourite sweet dish in Iceland is black liquorice, ice cream and Kleinur (twisted Doughnut) Tell us about the gastronomy of the country.
Food might not be what will bring you to Iceland in the first place, but it’ll definitely be what brings you back! The food is inspired by the ingredients Icelanders have around them, from the free-roaming sheep to the cod, herring, and char that splash around the cold Arctic waters. Beyond its freshness, the food is pure.