Minister questions whether Iceland can reach carbon neutrality by 2040

Iceland’s environment, energy and climate minister has questioned whether the country can achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, while warning against dropping the target without a detailed analysis, mbl.is reported.

Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson made the remarks while presenting a climate bill to Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament. Sigríður Á. Andersen, a Centre Party MP, sharply criticised the target and urged the minister to remove it from the bill.

Jóhannsson said he shared doubts about whether the 2040 goal was realistic, but stressed that carbon neutrality was an important objective for Iceland and the world.

He said removing the target or postponing its deadline would require thorough justification and analysis. Icelandic authorities had promoted the goal internationally for years and used it to shape the country’s image, he said.