Policy of the Socialist Party on natural resources

The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland on natural resources is ...

... that resources in Iceland's nature are the common and eternal property of the nation, and the protection of nature shall always be prioritized.
... that nationally owned resources include, among other things, all natural assets of the country, ecosystems and exploitable stocks, water, geothermal energy, electricity, sea, marine resources, and the atmosphere within the country's territorial and airspace.
... that permits for resource utilization or the utilization of other public goods are only granted after a strict environmental assessment, and that public interest and sustainability are always guiding principles.
... that equality considerations are always respected in the granting of permits for resource utilization rights through a transparent process.
... that independent oversight of resource utilization rights is enshrined in law, and that those parties who have utilization rights, whether they are authorities or individuals, always bear responsibility for the protection of the resources and the maintenance of related ecosystems.
... that all oversight of resource utilization is greatly increased, and that information about it is always available.
... that research and measurements on the quality of resources, land and sea, are greatly increased and well-funded.
... that permits for resource utilization never lead to ownership rights of any kind, nor any other kind of irrevocable control over the resources.
... that the fisheries management system in its current form is abolished, and the inequality and corruption it has caused are undone. All quotas shall be recalled, and a new fisheries management system established.
... that permits for fishing and the utilization of marine resources within Icelandic jurisdiction are granted temporarily, for a reasonable period at a time, against a fee to ensure the nation a fair price for the resource.
... that resource utilization of fisheries and other marine resources is subject to permits which shall be locally conditioned to maintain settlements around the country, and they are not transferable.
... that the agricultural system is revised in full cooperation with farmers and farm workers and with regard to land sustainability and food security.
... that the utilization of land, farms, and agriculture is subject to conditions and for a specific period at a time, and that no individual or company can accumulate land.
... that the atmosphere, as the main foundation of life on Earth, is protected as much as possible, and that industry in Iceland always adheres to the strictest requirements regarding emissions, particulate matter, and air quality.
... that the country's energy production is not unnecessarily increased beyond the energy needs of the public, with associated environmental damage and land disruption.
... that privatization in the country's energy production is completely abolished. Measures are taken so that the energy production currently in private ownership is transferred to national ownership.
... that authorities ensure that energy supply throughout the country is adequate and define electricity as a basic need for residency in Iceland.
... that the tourism industry is responsible for the resources it utilizes and contributes to sustainability and good management of scenic and recreational areas, with a special resource fee.
... resources of other states shall be treated with respect, and it shall be subject to strict penalties to damageor misuse them.

Further reading:

Nature's ecosystems are the foundation of all life on Earth, and their utilization shall always be based on sustainability. Thus, nature and its ecosystems shall always have an independent existence and inherent value, regardless of human valuation and utilization ideas. The Socialist Party of Iceland therefore wants the country's resources to always be in national ownership and utilized with respect against a fair fee, and not given to friends of officials or transferred for profiteering.

Resources in Iceland include all natural assets and ecosystems of the country such as the sea, exploitable stocks in the sea, lakes and rivers, as well as the seabed, springs, watercourses, geothermal energy, mines, land, land animals, mining areas, sand, glaciers, mountains and vegetation, as well as the atmosphere and winds. Untouched nature, wilderness with its mountains and glaciers, and water, both hot and cold, as found in Iceland, is becoming the most valuable resource of nations and shall be protected unconditionally. All legislation by authorities in Iceland related to this shall aim at the protection and sustainability of natural resources.

The concept of sustainability refers to not excessively depleting nature's reserves, but rather utilizing its resources in such a way that they can regenerate. Also, that the utilization of natural resources does not involve pollution of air, land, or sea, or result in other environmental damage. Sustainable development is therefore development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Rules for resource utilization permits shall be enshrined in law and not granted unless preceded by thorough research and a strict environmental assessment, whether it concerns fishing, resources in the sea, on land, in the air, or water and geothermal energy. Such permits shall only be granted for a reasonable period at a time and with detailed conditions, such as full respect for sustainability and also a cap on quantity, such as catch in the sea or land area. A reasonable fee shall be charged for granted permits so that the nation benefits from the utilization, and not individuals and/or companies exclusively. Furthermore, resource utilization shall never lead to ownership rights of any kind nor any other kind of irrevocable control over the resources.

The quota system in its current form shall be abolished, as this system has led to inequality and corruption domestically and internationally. Marine resources or fishing rights shall be reallocated with the understanding that fishing has, throughout centuries, been the foundation of existence for settlements around the country. Their allocation shall therefore be based on maintaining settlements throughout the country and shall be carried out in cooperation with municipalities and other communities in the country. It shall take into account equality and transparency, and research on the marine resources of each area must support the implementation. If a holder of fishing rights does not utilize their share, they are prohibited from transferring it.

All privatization of geothermal and hydropower plants in the country shall be abolished, and the interests of nature shall always be paramount when it comes to energy utilization. Authorities shall regularly assess the country's energy needs and ensure that excess energy production not serving public interests is halted. Authorities may then sell energy to food production companies, such as greenhouse farmers, at a discount, but not to international heavy industry companies that seek to come here with associated pollution and land disruption. Thus, the sustainability of society as well as global sustainability shall be considered. The utilization of spring water, watercourses, and geothermal energy shall generally be for public use, and power plants and water utilities shall be publicly owned and operated without profit motives.

The agricultural system needs to be revised due to overgrazing and overproduction of meat and other animal products. Furthermore, land maintenance and sustainability are not always adequately addressed. The agricultural system shall be reviewed in full cooperation with farmers and farm workers, utilizing the great ingenuity that exists among them. This can increase opportunities in food production and enhance it with the aforementioned goals. The country's food security relies on diverse and organized land use, and systemic changes are needed to ensure farmers' employment and income security while enabling them to produce more types of food using new and more organic methods than are currently traditional. Thus, subsidies for farmers could be utilized much better, giving them the opportunity to improve land use and produce more economical, healthier, and environmentally friendly food. Such would give farmers the opportunity for their own initiative in these matters, without having to put themselves and their farms at financial risk.

Exploitable stocks in rivers and lakes and their utilization shall be considered outside traditional agriculture. The utilization of salmon and trout stocks shall be based on sustainability, equality, and transparency.

The restoration of the country's ecosystems shall be a priority when it comes to land use. General nature conservation shall also be considered by restoring wetlands and protecting the country's common lands and wilderness areas as much as possible. Land disruption due to mining and road construction shall also be subject to public interest and environmental assessment.

Furthermore, the tourism industry shall be responsible for and combat encroachment on scenic and recreational areas, with a resource and/or accommodation fee. This can build a good framework to maintain sustainability when it comes to popular tourist destinations in the country. These fees shall also be linked to those places in the countryside with the highest visitor traffic, so that road construction and law enforcement can be improved alongside land maintenance and sustainability. Furthermore, care shall be taken not to infringe on public rights.

Resources of other states shall also be treated with respect, and it shall be subject to strict penalties to damage or misuse them. Thus, international agreements shall be fully respected when it comes to the protection of countries and territories and the restoration of countries to their resources.

Approved at a general meeting on January 18, 2020