Policy accepted January 18, 2020
That resources in national ownership include, among other things, all natural resources of the country, ecosystems and exploitable stocks, water, geothermal heat, electricity, sea, marine resources, and atmosphere within the country's land and airspace.
That principles of equality are always respected when granting licenses for resource utilization rights in a transparent process.
That all oversight of resource utilization is greatly increased and that information about it is always available.
That permits for resource utilization never lead to any form of ownership or any other kind of irrevocable control over the resources.
That permits for fishing and the utilization of marine resources within Icelandic jurisdiction be granted temporarily, for a reasonable period at a time, for a fee, so that the nation is guaranteed a fair price for the resource.
The agricultural system should be reviewed in full cooperation with farmers and farm workers, taking into account land sustainability and food security.
That Iceland's natural resources are the common and eternal property of the nation, and the protection of nature shall always be paramount.
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 independent oversight of the right to utilize resources be enshrined in law and that those parties who have the right to utilize, whether they are authorities or individuals, always bear responsibility for the protection of the resources and the maintenance of the ecosystems associated with them.
That research and measurements on the quality of land and sea resources are greatly increased and well funded.
That the fisheries management system in its current form be abolished and the inequality and corruption it has caused be undone. All quotas shall be recalled and a new fisheries management system established.
That the utilization of fishing resources 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 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 country's energy production will not be unnecessarily increased beyond the public's energy needs, with associated environmental damage and land disturbance.
That authorities ensure that the power supply throughout the country is in order and define electricity as a basic need for residency in Iceland.
The resources of other states shall be treated with respect, and damaging or misusing them shall incur strict penalties.
That the atmosphere as the main foundation of life on Earth be protected as much as possible and that industry in Iceland always follows the strictest requirements regarding emissions, particulate matter, and air quality.
That privatization in the country's energy production be completely abolished. Measures be taken so that the energy production currently in private ownership be transferred into the ownership of the nation.
That the tourism industry takes responsibility for the resources it utilizes and promotes sustainability and a good environment in scenic and outdoor recreation areas, with a special resource fee.
Nature's ecosystems are the foundation of all life on Earth, and their utilization must always be based on sustainability. Thus, nature and its ecosystems must always have an independent existence and intrinsic value, regardless of human valuation and utilization concepts. The Socialist Party of Iceland therefore wants the country's resources to always be publicly owned and utilized with respect against a fair fee, and not given to friends of those in power 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, waterfalls, geothermal heat, mines, land, land animals, mining areas, sands, 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, are becoming the most valuable resource of nations and must be protected unconditionally. All related legislation by authorities in Iceland must aim at the protection and sustainability of natural resources.
The concept of sustainability refers to the fact that nature's reserves must not be excessively depleted, but rather its resources must be utilized in such a way that they can renew themselves. Also, the utilization of natural resources must not involve pollution of air, land, or sea, or lead to other environmental damage. Sustainable development is therefore development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to live.
Rules for resource utilization permits must be enshrined in law and not granted without prior extensive research and strict environmental assessment, whether it concerns fishing, resources in the sea, on land, in the air, or water and geothermal heat. 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 the size of 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, the utilization of resources shall never lead to any form of ownership rights or other irreversible control over the resources.
The quota system in its current form must be abolished, as it has led to inequality and corruption both domestically and internationally. Marine resources or fishing rights shall be reallocated with the understanding that fishing has, for centuries, been the foundation of existence for communities around the country. Their allocation shall therefore be based on maintaining communities throughout the country and shall be carried out in cooperation with municipalities and other settlements in the country. It must 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 must be abolished, and the interests of nature must always take precedence when it comes to energy utilization. Authorities must regularly assess the country's energy needs and ensure that excess energy production not serving public interests is halted. Authorities can 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. In this way, the sustainability of society as well as global sustainability must be considered. The utilization of spring water, waterfalls, and geothermal heat 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, the maintenance and sustainability of the land are not always adequately addressed. The agricultural system must 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 systematic land use, and systemic changes are needed to ensure farmers' job and income security while enabling them to produce more types of food using new and more organic methods than are currently traditional. This way, subsidies to farmers could be utilized much better, giving them the opportunity to improve land use and produce more economical, healthier, and environmentally friendly food. Such a system 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 must be a priority when it comes to land use. General nature conservation must also be considered by restoring wetlands and protecting the country's common lands and wilderness areas as much as possible. Land disruption from mining and road construction must also be subject to public interest and environmental assessment.
Tourism shall be responsible for and combat encroachment on scenic and recreational areas, through a resource and/or accommodation fee. This way, a good framework can be built to maintain sustainability at popular tourist destinations in the country. These fees shall also be linked to those places in the rural areas with the most visitors, so that road construction and law enforcement can be improved alongside land maintenance and sustainability. Care must also be taken not to infringe upon public access rights.
The resources of other states must also be treated with respect, and spoiling or misusing them shall be subject to strict penalties. Thus, international agreements must be fully respected when it comes to the protection of countries and territories and the restoration of countries to their resources.