Iceland sits in one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth. Roughly 10% of the country is covered by glaciers — yet since the late 19th century, Icelandic glaciers have lost over 2,100 km² of surface area. Some, like Okjökull, have already disappeared. For Icelanders, this means more frequent glacial flooding, increased threats to roads and infrastructure, changes to hydropower production, and profound impacts on landscapes that shape their local livelihoods. 

Glacier melt in Iceland is not just a local issue. As glaciers shrink worldwide, they drive sea-level rise, threaten freshwater security, destabilize ocean currents such as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and accelerate global warming through feedback loops. These changes affect coastal cities, agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure around the world. For Iceland, disruption of the AMOC would not be abstract science — it could alter fish stocks, intensify extreme weather, and threaten the economic backbone of coastal communities.

Tzeporah Berman, Founder and Chair of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, said: “We are thrilled to be here in Iceland to celebrate Reykjavík joining the call for the Fossil Fuel Treaty. Support is growing around the world and having cities come onboard is critical to encouraging nation states to come to the table. Iceland’s leadership on renewable energy is very inspiring at a moment when its leadership truly matters. From the Arctic to the Andes, glaciers are sounding the alarm. With 18 countries already backing the Treaty proposal, Iceland has the opportunity to become the first European country to join this bloc of climate pioneers and participate in the First International Conference for the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta this April.”

Laura Sólveig Lefort Scheefer, Campaigner and Advocacy Lead for the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative in Iceland, added: “This endorsement reflects Reykjavík’s values and builds on decades of climate leadership. The city demonstrates that a renewable energy future is already within reach and is well positioned to help drive a growing global effort, moving beyond emissions reductions and toward a responsible and equitable phase-out of fossil fuel production. I encourage Iceland’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate to build on this momentum and support the Treaty Initiative.”

Reykjavík’s decision comes ahead of the First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, to be held on 24–29 April 2026 in Santa Marta, Colombia. Co-hosted by the Governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, it will be the first major international summit dedicated specifically to planning a coordinated global phase-out of fossil fuels. The conference takes place at the foot of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — home to the world’s highest coastal glaciers — highlighting the shared vulnerability of glacier regions from Iceland to Latin America.

Marcela Fernandez from Glacier Nation, said:  “We choose to act, bringing glaciers back to the center of the conversation. Fossil fuels and glaciers are not separate stories. If we don’t phase out fossil fuels, glaciers will not exist in the next 200 years. There is still time. But not forever.”