21 June 2026Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of the environment in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?Environmental matters are covered under Chapter 27. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012 and negotiations were still ongoing when they were put on hold.
What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of the environment in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?
Environmental matters are covered underChapter 27. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012 and negotiations were still ongoing when they were put on hold.
The negotiating objectives were:
Climate action has developed significantly since the accession negotiations were put on hold in 2013 and now constitutes a more substantial part of EU legislation. The EU Emissions Trading System has been implemented through the EEA Agreement and Iceland cooperates with the EU on climate action through that framework. TheBBNJ Agreementhas entered into force; Iceland and the EU are both parties.
See more information in thememorandum by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the request of the Althing's Foreign Affairs Committeeon 17 April 2026 (in Icelandic).
SeeChapter 27of the accession negotiations in 2009-2013 on the old accession negotiation website.
Seecomplete overview of all chaptersof the 2009 - 2013 accession negotiations.