Denmark has agreed on how to implement the world’s first tax on agricultural emissions, including flatulence by livestock.
This comes after months of negotiations between the country’s major parties, farmers, the industry, trade unions and environmental groups. From 2030, farmers will have to pay a levy of 300 kroner ($43; £34) per tonne of methane (as per carbon dioxide equivalent) on emissions from livestock including cows and pigs, which will rise to 750 kroner in 2035.
On a 100-year timescale, methane has 28 times greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide and is 84 times more potent on a 20-year timescale, says the EU Commission.
Measured by their planet-warming power, on a global basis, methane-filled livestock emissions are the equivalent of 850 coal plants burning year-round. Estimates vary, but livestock are reckoned to be responsible for up to 14 percent of all greenhouse emissions and methane, belched out by ruminants, accounts for more than a third of the total emissions from agriculture. So, Denmark is endeavouring to show the world what's possible.
The Green Tripartite minister said they will “do what it takes to reach our climate goals” after receiving a “broad majority” in parliament. “[It is a] huge, huge task that is now underway: to transform large parts of our land from agricultural production to forestry, to natural spaces, to ensure that we can bring life back to our fjords.”
Part of the Green Tripartite agreement between the government, the agriculture industry and environmental organisations is to also reduce nitrogen pollution in an effort to restore the coasts and fjords. Nitrogen emissions could be reduced by 13,780 tonnes annually from 2027, AFP news agency reported.
A concerted effort will also be made to improve the country's biodiversity. According to Danish daily The Copenhagen Post, 250,000 hectares (618,000 acres) of new forest will be planted, and 140,000 hectares of peatlands that are currently being cultivated will be restored to natural habitat - enabling them to continue their work as important carbon stores. So, the landscape will change in a way not seen since the wetlands were originally drained in 1864.
Around 60 percent of Denmark's territory is currently cultivated, making it together with Bangladesh the country with the highest share of cultivated land, according to a Danish parliamentary report.
Speaking about the agreement, the Danish minister for climate, energy and utilities, Lars Aagaard, said it showed the country’s “willingness to act”.
“It also shows the Danish model - broad political majority in the Danish parliament [and] involvement of the sectors that will be affected by the tax and involvement of environmental stakeholders," he added, explaining these are "things that we could all benefit from if the rest of the world could foster such cooperation in the climate fight.”