Ágúst Sigurðsson, director of Land and Forest Iceland, writes

Recently published images have revealed a large-scale land tilling project that has garnered significant attention. It is plausible that this project could have been executed with reduced disruption, without compromising the success of the forthcoming forest. While Iceland lacks explicit regulations regarding land preparation methods for various land types, each project should prioritise minimising environmental impact to the greatest extent possible. In this instance, it is evident that this principle was not adhered to, and it is crucial that we learn from this oversight.

It has been noted in the discourse that the land designated for these objectives is regarded as a valuable outdoor recreational area by many, as well as possessing significant biodiversity and serving as a crucial bird habitat. Consequently is also noted that such land should not have been selected for this type of project. It is acknowledged, however, that the municipality, in this instance Norðurþing, as the landowner, engaged in extensive discussions on this matter, resulting in some modifications to the initial concepts. Several of the recommendations received were duly considered, leading to the relocation of the proposed project area and a slight reduction in its scope. All requisite permits and statutory assessments were meticulously conducted in accordance with the official regulations governing this type of project, encompassing the preservation of archaeological sites. In this context, it is noteworthy that the criteria for selecting land for forestry have remained largely unchanged for a considerable period, and to the best of our knowledge, similar land in question has been utilised for afforestation in the past decades.

The project's scope has also been a topic of discussion, as it encompasses approximately 100 hectares of land in a single phase. It is quite novel to allocate such extensive areas for afforestation in one step. Historically, forestry has been characterised by smaller-scale initiatives with government involvement. Consequently, the implementation of this project on such a large scale has garnered significant attention. However, there are no additional restrictions on forestry of this scale beyond those stipulated by individual municipalities in their respective municipal plans. It is evident that these regulations were duly adhered to in this project.

There are several other concerns that have been raised in connection with this specific project. Some of these necessitate improved dissemination of the scientific knowledge available to clarify various assumptions about this type of forestry – this needs to be enhanced. It is also critical for the advancement of knowledge to closely monitor the development of this land and the forest that will grow there, and to make precise measurements, including carbon sequestration in the area and changes in the nature of the area in the coming years.

It is imperative to underscore the significance of establishing a transparent legal framework and well-defined procedures for the operation of forestry in Iceland. This framework constitutes the sustainable forestry principles outlined in the Forestry Act. While certain guidelines have been developed over the years based on prevailing circumstances, it is evident that the framework lacks sufficient comprehensiveness and clarity in certain aspects, necessitating revisions. This issue has been under discussion for an extended period, but with the recent establishment of Land and Forest Iceland at the beginning of the year, it has become apparent that addressing this challenge is a primary priority. This endeavor can be aptly termed the Icelandic Forestry Standard for Sustainable Forestry. Thus far, we have not had a clear standard in this area. However, the former institute Skógræktin began work on this last year, and the project has now been transferred to the new Land and Forest Iceland to continue. We intend to approach the project similarly to our colleagues in the British Isles, who have had such a standard in place. While their work can serve as a foundation, we will need to adapt it to our specific circumstances. We have high hopes for this important project and seek broad collaboration among various parties to bring it to fruition.

A new set of quality criteria for forestry land selection is a fundamental project that requires immediate attention. This project aligns with the government's action plan for land reclamation and forestry 2022-2026, as outlined in the national plan until 2031 – Land and life. While some initial work has commenced at Skógræktin, it is crucial that these criteria are finalised and made available as soon as possible.

It is also important to note that the translation and adaptation of international standards for ecosystem restoration, known as SER standards, have commenced. This initiative was initiated by the former institute Landgræðslan in 2022 and has since been assumed by the new Land and Forest Iceland. The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) standard serves as a fundamental guideline and must be adhered to in all ecosystem restoration efforts. Adapting the standard to suit Icelandic conditions is crucial, and while some progress has been made, substantial work remains. It is imperative that we dedicate resources and energy to this endeavor in the upcoming term.

The aforementioned standards and quality criteria are indispensable for the short-term and long-term success of our nation's forestry and land reclamation initiatives. At Land and Forest Iceland, we are committed to proactively advancing these projects and expediting their progress. Consequently, we have prioritiaed these projects and allocated additional resources to ensure their success. A cross-divisional steering group has been established to coordinate the projects, streamline work procedures, and facilitate necessary consultations with relevant institutions, experts, and stakeholders. Our objective is to achieve substantial progress in the coming three months and present the initial proposals for quality criteria for land selection in forestry by November. This endeavor at Land and Forest Iceland is closely coordinated with our ministry, as these quality criteria require their explicit endorsement.

These initiatives offer an excellent chance to examine and improve all decision-making processes related to forestry and land reclamation activities in Iceland. Additionally, they aim to foster a deeper comprehension and consensus on the critical work being carried out in this domain.

• This article was published also in the agricultural biweekly Bændablaðið 29 August 2024