Minister questions Iceland’s 2040 carbon neutrality target

Iceland’s environment, energy and climate minister has expressed doubt that the country can achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, but says the target should not be abandoned without detailed analysis. The remarks came during a parliamentary debate on a climate bill, mbl.is reported.

Centre Party MP Sigríður Á. Andersen criticised the target as “complete nonsense” and urged the minister to remove it from the bill. She said politicians had set ambitious goals far into the future, when they would no longer be in office to answer for them.

Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson agreed that the 2040 goal’s feasibility was in doubt. However, he said carbon neutrality was an extremely important objective for both Iceland and the world.

Jóhannsson said dropping the target or delaying its deadline without thorough justification and analysis would be irresponsible. He also noted that Icelandic authorities had promoted the goal internationally for years and used it to shape the country’s image.