Climate Services at the Icelandic Meteorological Office
The Icelandic Meteorological Office hosts the Office for Climate Services and Adaptation, which operates across all divisions of the institution. The office’s primary role is to bridge the gap between science and society by communicating authoritative scientific information on climate change and supporting informed societal responses.
The office serves as the formal channel for recognized climate scenarios and assessments regarding the impacts of climate change on weather patterns, hydrology, glaciers, and the surrounding ocean environment of Iceland.
Roles and responsibilities
The office collects and synthesizes data and information from expert institutions and collaborative partners and disseminates it to stakeholders and the public. Its supports all sectors of society, including municipalities, businesses, academia, public institutions, and individual citizens.
The office works in close cooperation with the National Committee on Climate Change Science and the Steering Committee on Climate Action, both appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate.
International cooperation
The office actively participates in international cooperation. It serves as Iceland’s focal point to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and collaborates with international partners in delivering climate services, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Copernicus Climate Change Service.
In addition, the office acts as Iceland’s national focal point for the European initiative Destination Earth (DestinE) and participates in Nordic cooperation networks on climate services and climate change adaptation.
Anna Hulda Ólafsdóttir, head of office
She completed a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Iceland in 2016. She has led the Office for Climate Services and Adaptation since 2021 and is responsible for its operations and development.
Anna Hulda serves as Iceland’s focal point to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the European initiative Destination Earth (DestinE).
Previously, she was an Associate Professor at the University of Iceland.
Tarek Zaquot, specialist
He completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Iceland in 2022. He has worked at the Office for Climate Services and Adaptation since 2024.
Tarek works on data analysis and the processing of climate model outputs and contributes to the development and presentation of the Icelandic Climate Atlas.
Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Iceland.
Theódóra Matthíasdóttir, specialist
She completed a B.Sc. in Tourism Studies in 2006 and a B.Sc. in Geology in 2009, both from the University of Iceland. She has worked at the Office for Climate Services and Adaptation since autumn 2022.
Theó works with the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change and the National Committee on Climate Change Science and is involved in stakeholder engagement, communication, and coordination of European projects.
Previously, she worked at Verkís Consulting Engineers and the West Iceland Nature Research Centre.