14 October 2017

The First Minister has returned from Iceland, where she participated in the Arctic Circle Assembly, while also meeting a range of Nordic representatives to promote Scottish interest and highlight the mutual benefits of closer links among northern nations.

Lively Q&A for @NicolaSturgeon & #arcticcircle2017 chair Olafur Grimsson, following her speech – can read here: https://t.co/8zqkI9ZVCU pic.twitter.com/JNPpuf9GPE

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 13, 2017

The Arctic Circle Assembly is an annual gathering in Reykjavik of governments, organisations and corporations with an interest in securing a sustainable future for the arctic region.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke to the assembly about Scotland’s leadership role in tackling climate change – and why there are many benefits of investing in a low carbon future.

She said:

Action on climate change is, first and foremost, an overwhelming moral imperative – and Scotland is leading the way internationally in combatting it.

“Yet with Scotland employing almost 60,000 people in low carbon industries, there is still scope for significant further growth. Our northern nation neighbours are obvious partners in this.

“Scotland is taking an increasingly prominent role in the work of the Arctic Circle Assembly and associated cooperation, and I believe there are clear benefits for us all by forming closer ties.”

While in Reykjavik the First Minister also visited Carbon Recycling International – a highly innovative company that is processing carbon dioxide into methanol for use as a clean source of biofuel. The technology has potential applications for helping Scotland achieve its future green energy ambitions.

FM @NicolaSturgeon visited #CarbonRecyclingInternational in #Iceland – innovative tech that converts C02 into methanol for use as biofuel pic.twitter.com/VpqrZDwiHU

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 12, 2017

The First Minister held bilateral discussions with the Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, and Iceland’s foreign minister Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.

The opportunities presented by the Arctic Circle Assembly meant that she was also able to make important connections with other senior figures, including the UN Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa. They covered the importance of long term commitment to addressing climate change – and the need for ambitious targets, such as the approach Scotland is taking.

Nicola Sturgeon also met with WOW Air CEO Skúli Mogensen, to discuss their plans for future flights from Scotland. Mr Mogensen shared that WOW’s new generation aircraft means they provide the most fuel efficient air travel in the industry, reducing the carbon footprint.

The two-day visit concluded with a reception attended by more than 100 guests to highlight that in November the Scotland will host an Arctic Circle Forum in Edinburgh, when the important connections made by the First Minister in Iceland can be further strengthened.

FM @NicolaSturgeon met Denmark's @EllemannKaren at reception to highlight @ArcticAssembly forum coming to Scotland https://t.co/2R3689Qm7C pic.twitter.com/7qa8vOIRJh

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 14, 2017