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Náttúruverndarsamtök ÍslandsIceland Nature Conservation Association

The Iceland Nature Conservation Association (INCA) was established in May 1997. It is a conservation NGO, with the primary objective of conserving and protecting the wilderness of Iceland. From the outset, INCA’s primary objective was to establish a national park in the highlands, which consititute some 40% of Iceland’s 103.000 sq.km. Vatnajoekull Glacier Parkwas established in June 2008. Since then valuable areas such as Langisjor Lake have been added to the Park , some 13.280 sq. km. (5127 sq. Miles).

Our Work

 In October 2011 a Gallup opinion poll showed that 56% of the polled support the establishment of a national park in the highlands, 17.8 said they were opposed an 26.2% did not take a position. We take this to show that there is a significant public support for the objective INCA was established to achieve.

INCA has been heavily involved in the public debate on sustainable and wise use of hydroelectric and geothermal resources and emphasizes other resource use such as Nature conservation and tourism.

INCA has participated in the debate on whaling. In 2007, Arni Finnsson, chair of INCA’s board, was awarded the Animal Action Award, for this engagement for the conservation of whales.

INCA has also focused on fisheries issues by co-operation with the Deep Sea

Conservation Coalition, calling for a global moratorium on deep sea trawling in the high seas. Furthermore, INCA has called for strictest possible implementation of scientific recommendations for TAC limits in Icelandic waters.

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INCA has also focused on the climate change issue from the outset. Since 1999 INCA has been represented by Arni Finnsson at the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 1999 - 2009. INCA has been the leading NGO in Iceland on this issue. Today, the government, in the words of the PM, labels the climate change challenge as “urgent”, and that it “can only be tackled through the combined efforts of the international community.”

INCA has cooperated with and was involved in the work of WWF Arctic Program 1998 – 2004. WWF’s support was crucial in establishing the Vatnajoekull Glacier Park.

INCA attended the Rio +20 Conference in June this year, joining a number of NGOs in a call for a new international treaty for the protection of the High Seas.

INCA has gained a reputation as a reliable source of information in the media and is called on for representation in events dealing with Nature conservation, including fisheries issues, whaling and climate change.

INCA has vigorously defended the role of civil society in conservation of nature.

 

INCA has some 1700 members and runs an office in Reykjavik.