Denmark has agreed on how to implement the world’s first tax on agricultural production, including livestock air pollution.
This comes after months of discussions by the main groups in the country, farmers, industrialists, labor unions and environmental organizations. The Green Tripartite Agreement was first announced in June.
From 2030, farmers will have to pay a tax of 300 kroner ($43; £34) per tonne of methane (as carbon dioxide equivalent) emitted from livestock including cows and pigs, rising to 750 kroner in 2035.
The Green Tripartite minister said they would “do whatever it takes to meet our climate targets” after securing a “broad majority” in parliament.
“[It is a] the big, big work that is going on now: to convert large parts of our land from agricultural production to forests, to natural areas, to ensure that we can restore life to our fjords, “said Jeppe Bruus.
Part of the Green Tripartite agreement between the government, the agricultural industry and environmental organizations is to also reduce nitrogen pollution in an effort to restore the coast and fjords. Nitrogen emissions can be reduced by 13,780 tons per year from 2027, AFP news agency reported.
A concerted effort will also be made to improve the country’s biodiversity.
According to the Danish daily The Copenhagen Post250,000 hectares of new forests will be planted, and 140,000 hectares of virgin lands that are currently being distributed will be restored to natural habitat.
Peatlands are wetlands characterized by waterlogged conditions and known carbon stores.
About 60% of Denmark’s land is currently under cultivation, making it the country with the largest share of arable land, along with Bangladesh, according to a report by the Danish parliament.
“Denmark’s environment will change in a way we haven’t seen since the draining of the swamps in 1864,” Mr Bruus was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Speaking about the agreement, Denmark’s minister for climate, energy and resources, Lars Aagaard, said it showed the country’s “willingness to take action”.
“It also shows the Danish model – a political majority in the Danish parliament [and] the involvement of tax-affected sectors and the involvement of environmental stakeholders,” he added, explaining that “these are things we can all benefit from if the whole world can encourage such cooperation in the fight against climate.”
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