The rate of afforestation decreased considerably after the 2008 financial crisis, but was still significantly higher than before the 1990s. Most reforestation has taken place through state support for afforestation on farms and other privately owned land (Government of Iceland / UNFCCC, 2014). Current Icelandic regulations aim for afforestation on at least 5% of land below 400 metres above sea level in various regional projects (Government of Iceland / UNFCCC, 2016). The Soil Conservation Service of Iceland was founded for this purpose, and a land restoration training programme under the auspices of the United Nations University was launched in 2007.