According to the Paris Agreement, the impact of land use on greenhouse gas emissions must be quantifiable. While carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary greenhouse gas, methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are also significant. Land and Forest Iceland is responsible for collecting and documenting these data for the Icelandic climate records.

Accounting practices adhere to the guidelines established by the IPCC, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Data utilised reflects the most current and comprehensive information available. Land and Forest Iceland is actively engaged in research and development initiatives, continuously refining methodologies to enhance the precision of accounting procedures. Consequently, these practices are subject to ongoing evolution, reflecting advancements in understanding the environmental impact of land use within Iceland. All modifications and revisions are implemented retroactively to ensure accurate interpretation of emission changes and sequestration trends.

The annual reports present data reflecting the circumstances from two years prior; consequently, the data released this spring pertains to the conditions observed in 2023. Mid-year, preliminary figures for the subsequent year are then released. The preliminary figures currently available are therefore based on 2024 data, suggesting that greenhouse gas emissions remained largely consistent between 2023 and 2024. Specifically, within the "land use emissions" category, indications suggest that emissions in 2024 approximated 6.3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, mirroring the 2023 levels.

The accounting records have been updated to reflect two key adjustments. Specifically, modifications were implemented within the "Moorland in grazing" subcategory, encompassing grassland and drained wetlands utilised for grazing purposes. Concurrently, adjustments were applied to the "wetlands in grazing" subcategory.

Heathlands

The "Heathland" land use category data is currently undergoing significant enhancements. Prior to this initiative, the understanding of the impact of land use on greenhouse gas emissions within this category was limited, which impeded the development of emission factors specific to Icelandic data. Additionally, the data lacked sufficient differentiation between grazed and ungrazed land. Initially, emissions and sequestration were assumed to be balanced within this category; however, recent data incorporating both land condition and land use have altered this assessment. The revised analysis indicates that the moorland category now demonstrates sequestration, rather than being in equilibrium. As our understanding evolves, the accuracy of these data is projected to improve in the coming years, with further refinements anticipated.

Wetlands

In Iceland, a significant portion of pristine wetlands is utilised for grazing, with natural processes contributing to the consistent release of methane, a greenhouse gas. Previously, these emissions were attributed to land use practices; however, a recent revision of climate accounting protocols has reclassified grazing's impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Grazing is now considered to have no impact, with the focus shifting to projects that alter groundwater conditions. Consequently, this category now encompasses only reservoirs less than 20 years old and restored wetlands. This adjustment follows last year's allowance for Iceland to exclude undisturbed wetlands situated 200 meters or more above sea level from grazing considerations, based on new data indicating a negligible impact of grazing on emissions in these areas. This reclassification has resulted in a substantial reduction of emissions in this category, from 702 thousand tons to approximately 17 thousand tons.

Comprehensive information regarding the preliminary land use emission figures for Iceland in 2024 is available on the Environment and Energy Agency of Iceland's website. These figures are also featured in an article on the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate's website and were discussed in the Bændablaðið newspaper on August 28th.