Auðlindar

Auðlindar (natural resources) are elements of the natural environment that people use or value for economic activity, development, or well‑being. They include energy sources, minerals, water, land, ecosystems, and biodiversity, as well as the services ecosystems provide, such as clean air, climate regulation, and recreational opportunities.

Resources are commonly categorized by renewability and by flow or stock characteristics. Renewable resources replenish over time if managed wisely, including solar and wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, forests, and fish stocks under sustainable management. Non-renewable resources are finite and can be exhausted, such as fossil fuels and metallic minerals. Some resources function as flow resources (availability depends on time or conditions, such as sunlight or wind), while others are stock resources that can be depleted if overused.

Management and policy play central roles in how auðlindir are used. Governance typically involves property rights or public ownership, licensing and permitting, environmental impact assessments, and monitoring. Sustainable extraction, ecological restoration, and consideration of ecosystem services are key to balancing current needs with future availability and intergenerational equity.

Economically, natural resources are treated as natural capital. They are valued for production, energy security, and export income, and they can generate rents or be subject to price volatility. Effective management seeks to minimize negative externalities, prevent irreversible damage, and maintain long‑term productivity of resources.

In Icelandic policy and discourse, auðlindir often refer to geothermal and hydroelectric energy, fisheries, and mineral resources. The concept emphasizes the link between environmental stewardship and the economy, guiding decisions about exploitation, protection, and investment.