Overview

For a small country (approximate population of 310,000), Iceland is making a big impact due to its advanced use of renewable energy, especially geothermal power. As concerns mount about energy security, costs and impact on the environment, this nation is teaching the world how to do things correctly from the very first step.

Since 1999, over 70 per cent of the country's primary energy needs have been supplied by sustainable resources - more than any other country. In 2004 for instance, geothermal energy accounted for 53% of Icelands total primary energy consumption, while hydropower contributed 17%. Petroleum counted for some 25%. By 2006, only 0.1% of electricity production came from fossil fuels.

But that is not good enough for the Icelanders. So their next step is even more audacious: Iceland has made an official commitment to become completely green by 2050 by becoming the world's first hydogen-powered economy. As it embarkes on this ambitious undertaking, the world (and ourselves) is turning its attention to this small North Atlantic island, to learn from both Iceland's previous accomplishments and its current, cutting-edge initiatives.