One SIT student’s contribution to Iceland’s energy transition
March 5th, 2026 | Europe, Research, SIT Study Abroad
For Inbal Armony, a semester in Iceland meant more than studying climate change—it was an opportunity to help shape the conversation around the country’s fossil fuel future. Armony, an undergraduate student at Macalester College studying climate science, policy, and data science, spent a semester in Iceland with SIT’s Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic program. She is passionate about tackling climate change with community-driven policies and renewable energy solutions, and she has used her skills to build real-world solutions.
As part of her Independent Study Project (ISP), Armony worked with Eimur, an Icelandic public-private partnership, to develop the Iceland Fossil Fuel Dashboard, which tracks the sales and consumption of fossil fuel in Iceland.
Armony shares with us why she decided to study abroad in Iceland and how working on the dashboard project not only impacted local communities in Iceland but also her own continued studies.
Why did you choose SIT’s Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic program?
I chose to study abroad in Iceland because of my deep commitment to taking action on climate change. Iceland is such a unique country with a fully renewable electric grid. I was excited to apply what I was learning in my environmental studies classes in exploring this remarkable country.
What was your favorite part of studying abroad in Iceland?
My favorite part of studying abroad in Iceland was, without a doubt, my incredible host family. I was so welcomed into their home and family, immersed in their culture and language. Connecting with my host family and many other Icelanders taught me so much, not only about the country, but about how to be the best version of myself and strive for a better world.
Tell us about your Independent Study Project and the Iceland Fossil Fuel Dashboard.
Iceland aims to significantly and quickly change its energy sources with goals of carbon neutrality by 2040 and being fossil fuel-free by 2050. While Iceland’s electricity already originates from 100% renewable energy, it still relies on oil for land transportation, marine transportation, aviation, and industry. With over 60% of Icelanders living in the capital region, Iceland’s clean energy transition must also consider the remaining population living in smaller municipalities and rural areas. Differences in regional Icelandic oil consumption have yet to be studied, and a gap exists between the state and local governments about climate action.
During the last five weeks of the SIT program, I conducted my ISP. I reached out to Eimur, an Icelandic public-private partnership working towards sustainable resource utilization in Northern Iceland. Eimur is a partner in the EU LIFE-funded RECET project, which aims to empower European rural municipalities in their energy transition planning. As part of the RECET project, Eimur hoped to publicize newly available Icelandic oil sales data, which is where I came in.
Collaborating with Eimur, I created a dashboard that allows for interactive and accessible exploration of oil sales throughout Iceland. The dashboard can be used by communities and policymakers alike and helps inform equitable energy transition policy in Iceland.
What are your future plans?
I am currently finishing my senior year at Macalester College, where I have continued to work with the oil sales data for my environmental studies senior honors thesis, using small area estimation statistical modeling to explore trends in Icelandic oil sales. After college, I hope to work in climate policy and would love to travel back to Iceland soon to visit my host family.
What’s your advice to prospective SIT students interested in studying abroad in Iceland?
I would advise future SIT students to be open, brave, and speak to everyone they meet. My best moments in Iceland came from starting a conversation with strangers or opening up to a new friend to deepen our understanding of one another.
SIT offers semester and summer programs in Iceland. View the program list here.