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The experience exchange in the field of environment and climate took place in Iceland under the Fund for Bilateral Relations

From the 16^th of October to the 20^th of October 2023, an exchange visit took place in Iceland under the Norwegian grant Programme “Climate Change, Mitigation and Adaptation” (hereinafter – the Programme). The representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute visited the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the Icelandic Centre for Research (hereinafter – Rannís), the National Energy Authority and a non-governmental youth environmental organisation “Young Environmentalists” (hereinafter – the “Young Environmentalists”).

At the Icelandic Meteorological Office, participants of the exchange visit got acquainted with the institution, and its functions, and the operational methods for weather forecasting and natural hazard assessment. Meteorologists from Latvia and Norway agreed that they have gained useful and valuable experience and contacts for their future work. Gained experience and knowledge on integrated natural hazard monitoring, forecasting and dissemination of warnings to the public is of vital importance for Latvian meteorologists. The insights from the meteorological services of Iceland and Norway will be incorporated into guidelines for assessing the impact of hydrometeorological conditions, and the knowledge acquired will contribute to enhancing the forecasting system in Latvia.

Contacts were established with colleagues at Rannis and discussions were held regarding the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants programmes. Rannis as the Donor Programme Partner helps to find contacts for cooperation with relevant institutions in Iceland and represents these institutions abroad. In the current EEA and Norway grants period, Rannis is the Donor Programme Partner for the programmes in four countries. Rannis also coordinates various national and international level programmes in research and education and implements science communication campaigns.

At the National Energy Authority, the participants of the exchange visit were introduced to the functions and responsibilities delegated to the Authority in the energy sector by the Icelandic Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Climate. At the same time, the National Energy Authority provides its knowledge and expertise in the field of energy to the government. The National Energy Authority is the Donor Programme Partner in the EEA and Norway grants energy programmes in several countries and actively cooperates with Bulgaria and Poland.

As a positive example of the young people’s active participation in society, there is an Icelandic non-governmental organization the “Young Environmentalists”. During an exchange visit, their representatives met with participants to share their story about their work. Young people have created professionally a non-governmental organization in the fields of environment and climate representing their values. They identify themselves as a lobbying and activism organization and have around 1500+ members, with no membership fees and no age limit. The “Young Environmentalists” frequently visit secondary schools, to engage students in discussions about current environmental and climate matters. They also prepare their opinions on legal acts and arrange meetings with politicians. A significant part of their work is dedicated to capturing media attention, such as their efforts to advocate for a ban on whaling. The “Young Environmentalists” publishes also articles and actively communicates on social media, as well as publishes a monthly magazine in Icelandic. It should be emphasized that the organization’s work is based on scientific principles and all facts in publications are carefully checked. In communication, the “Young Environmentalists” strive to foster a positive and constructive dialogue by encouraging people to think more deeply, even choosing to use the term ‘climate crisis’ in their discourse.

The experience exchange visit was implemented under the Fund for Bilateral Relations, the aim of which is to strengthen bilateral relations between Latvia and Donor countries (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland) by supporting study trips of experts and experience of exchange visits and establishing contacts between institutions and gain new experience.

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