Sustainable agri-food production in Iceland - Empty words or effective policy?

Abstract

This article discusses sustainability, policy, and governance in Icelandic agrifood production. Although policies for both sustainable land use and food production have been in place for some time, its implementation has been slow. This delay can be attributed to the inherently complex and politically charged nature of the concept of sustainability, as well as its often-ambiguous application. Nevertheless, sustainability remains a critical objective, as it concerns equity and responsible stewardship of natural resources for the benefit of future generations. The article seeks to explain what could be causing the slow implementation of policies, and whether planning could be used more effectively? Findings from interviews with four groups of stakeholders suggest several factors contributing to the slow implementation of existing policies. These include administrative coordination challenges, insufficient institutional fit and capacity, institutional inertia, lack of incentives for change, and the influence of stakeholders who seek to maintain the status quo. The article highlights the need for stronger policy integration between land use and food production, as well as for enhanced institutional capacity to effectively address these challenges. Key recommendations include:

• Establishing a clearer and context-specific definition of sustainable agrifood production in Iceland.
• Strengthening institutional fit and capacity.
• Utilizing planning tools to integrate land use- and food system policies and aligning them with fiscal plans.
• Improving the enforcement and monitoring of policy implementation.
• Mapping power relations within the agri-food system to support a more equitable distribution of resources, decision-making authority, and benefits.