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Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026

Iceland: Environment & Sustainability

How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?

Iceland is placed joint 118th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 9.667 (2024); Water Stress 0.39 (2023).

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Environment & Sustainability

joint118th

of 186 countries placed

Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics

Country Index 2026, all topics12th of 183 →

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Iceland on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys

  1. Key 1 of 4

    CO₂ Emissions per Capita

    Global Carbon Project

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    9.667

    Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)

    Lower is better

    Iceland: 9.667. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.

    World median
    3.21
    Best in Northern Europe
    3.452 Latvia

  2. Key 2 of 4

    Water Stress

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0

    0.39

    Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)

    Lower is better

    Iceland: 0.39. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.

    World median
    10
    Best in Northern Europe
    0.39 Iceland

  3. Key 3 of 4

    Organic Agricultural Area

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.16

    Organic share of agricultural land (%)

    Higher is better

    Iceland: 0.16. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.

    World median
    0.725
    Best in Northern Europe
    22.61 Estonia

  4. Key 4 of 4

    Ecological Footprint

    Global Footprint Network

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    No reading

    Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)

    Lower is better

    Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for Iceland, so the standing rests on the other keys.

    Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.

    World median
    2.296
    Best in Northern Europe
    3.409 United Kingdom

03In context

Iceland beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.

Northern Europe
1st186thNot placed · 38 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on environment & sustainability

Iceland and Northern Europe

Iceland has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingCO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%)Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Finland=61st5.3017.1113.49—
Latvia65th3.4521.0415.596.519
Sweden70th3.5923.5816.675.046
Lithuania=89th4.3872.178.775.712
Ireland101st6.3399.424.94—
Norway102nd6.6682.044.574.406
United Kingdom=115th4.52614.352.873.409
Iceland=118th9.6670.390.16—
Estonia=123rd6.1058.5822.616.669
Denmark=139th4.74626.6311.136.445
Channel Islandsnot placed——2.1—
Faroe Islandsnot placed13.09———
Isle of Mannot placed————

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Placed either side on environment & sustainability

The countries immediately above and below Iceland in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Iceland is ahead of the world, and behind

44 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median14

Statistics on which Iceland does better than the middle country measured.

  • Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 51No earlier reading

    Iceland: 1 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.

    Ranked 163rd of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528445,023No real change since 2012

    Iceland: 445,023 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.

    Position 1st of 181 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.32100No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 100 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 1st of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.06100No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 100 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 1st of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6630No earlier reading

    Iceland: 0 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 01.45▼ Worsened since 2015

    Iceland: 1.45 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.7527.82No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 27.82 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.

    Position 159th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.315No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 0.315 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.

    Ranked 12th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.455.1▼ Worsened since 2013

    Iceland: 5.1 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.

    Position 199th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4464.69▼ Worsened since 2014

    Iceland: 64.69 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.

    Ranked 20th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.876.1No earlier reading

    Iceland: 76.1 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.

    Ranked 20th of 99 by World Energy Council.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.171.58No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 71.58 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.172.34▼ Worsened since 2015

    Iceland: 2.34 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.

    Position 144th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.735▼ Worsened since 2013

    Iceland: 0.735 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.

    Position 41st of 156 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Behind the world median6

Statistics on which Iceland does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.3895.696▲ Improved since 2011

    Iceland: 5.696 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.

    Position 72nd of 118 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.86▲ Improved since 2015

    Iceland: 2.86 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.

    Position 113th of 186 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9661.653No earlier reading

    Iceland: 1.653 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.

    Position 36th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5653.35No real change since 2013

    Iceland: 3.35 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.

    Position 34th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2790.105▼ Worsened since 2014

    Iceland: 0.105 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.182.99▲ Improved since 2015

    Iceland: 2.99 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 00No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

No better end23

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,3751,049,648No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 1,049,648 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8398.05Moved since 2013

    Iceland: 98.05 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.314No real change since 2013

    Iceland: 0.314 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.

    Position 30th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.95411.31Moved since 1990

    Iceland: 11.31 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6387.05No real change since 2013

    Iceland: 87.05 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0751.878Moved since 2014

    Iceland: 1.878 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3697.29Moved since 2013

    Iceland: 97.29 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.

    Position 84th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.472Moved since 2015

    Iceland: 1.472 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,6351,981No real change since 2013

    Iceland: 1,981 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.

    Position 138th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9616.25Moved since 2013

    Iceland: 16.25 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.

    Position 162nd of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.6915.45No real change since 2015

    Iceland: 15.45 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.007Moved since 2014

    Iceland: 0.007 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000No earlier reading

    Iceland: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2783,160Moved since 2015

    Iceland: 3,160 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.

    Position 156th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0490.052Moved since 2014

    Iceland: 0.052 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8240No real change since 2015

    Iceland: 0 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080No real change since 2011

    Iceland: 0 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.

    Position 179th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.080.529No real change since 2013

    Iceland: 0.529 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.

    Position 199th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7750Moved since 2015

    Iceland: 0 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.09No real change since 2013

    Iceland: 0.09 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.

    Position 178th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.02No real change since 2014

    Iceland: 0.02 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.

    Position 173rd of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.140.108No real change since 2012

    Iceland: 0.108 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.

    Position 170th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.660.003No earlier reading

    Iceland: 0.003 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.

    Position 121st of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

No current reading for Iceland

Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Ecological Footprint, Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP), Mangrove Area, Operating Coal Power Capacity and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

05Country Index 2026

Environment & Sustainability among Iceland’s 16 topics

Environment & Sustainability is Iceland’s 16th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile
  1. Peace & Security1st of 177
  2. Work & Labour1st of 182
  3. Economy & Innovation4th of 176
  4. Energy5th of 165
  5. Risk & Resilience8th of 193
  6. Poverty & Inequality8th of 159
  7. Democracy & Civil Liberties11th of 198
  8. Development & Human Capital14th of 196
  9. Health & Wellbeing15th of 200
  10. Governance & Institutionsjoint 19th of 194
  11. Gender & Equality37th of 183
  12. Education & Knowledge56th of 198
  13. Digital & Technologyjoint 68th of 198
  14. Food & Agriculture70th of 184
  15. Mobility & Trade93rd of 177
  16. Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 118th of 186

06The top of the list

Who leads on environment & sustainability

The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Iceland can most readily be measured against.

All 186 countries
  1. 1

    Angola

    Middle Africa

    1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale

  2. 2

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Middle Africa

    2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

  3. 3

    Sierra Leone

    Western Africa

    3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Europe

    Liechtenstein27th2/4 keys

  2. Highest in Northern Europe

    Finland=61st3/4 keys

  3. This page

    Iceland=118th3/4 keys

Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

07Questions

Iceland on environment & sustainability: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Iceland rank on environment & sustainability?

Iceland is placed joint 118th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress and Organic Agricultural Area). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Iceland?

9.667 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.

What is the latest Water Stress figure for Iceland?

0.39 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.

How have Iceland’s environment & sustainability figures changed?

CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 10.43 in 2000 to 9.667 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 0.22 in 2000 to 0.39 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area fell from 0.27 in 2005 to 0.16 in 2024.

Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Iceland?

No current reading is published for Iceland on Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Ecological Footprint, Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP), Mangrove Area, Operating Coal Power Capacity and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

08Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.

About environment & sustainability, in full

How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.

The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 44 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Iceland’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Iceland: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iceland/environment

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