Denmark to Introduce First World's Livestock Carbon Tax

Nordic country Denmark is set to introduce the world’s first Carbon tax on livestock to reach its 2045 carbon neutrality target. This move will help Denmark reach its 2045 carbon neutrality target.

This 2045 target is part of Denmark’s mission; which will reduce carbon content release to achieve climate neutrality. Carbon (found in Methane) is the chief contributing factor to massive greenhouse gases and global warming.

*Denmark becomes the first country to impose a carbon tax on livestock globally*

Methane (CH4) emissions from cattle and pigs result in farts via anal passage. Hence, the government of Denmark will impose a tax of 300 kroner (about $43) for every tonne of methane, from livestock poop.

However, every tonne of methane is as harmful as one tonne of carbon dioxide (another contributing gas to global warming).

According to the agreement, this tax amount will increase to 750 kroner ($69) in 2035. The agreement happened between the government, opposition, and livestock representatives of livestock farmers, industry, and trade unions.

*Carbon tax agreement between government and livestock members*

However, the Denmark Parliament has still to introduce the world’s first livestock carbon tax agreement. It will likely pass after the summer.

Christian Fromberg is a climate change activist at Greenpeace Nordic. He said the carbon tax is a significant milestone even though the government should have implemented it sooner and at a higher rate.

Christian considers this move as a hopeful opportunity in a time when many nations are going back on their climate action. At the same time, he also criticized the missed opportunity to establish a new direction for Danish agriculture.

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This is because agricultural practices in Denmark are still rather wasteful. They release a significant amount of nitrogen into the environment that deoxygenates the water. Hence, the sea life vanishes without oxygen.

Meanwhile, the Danish Association for Sustainable Agriculture considers the carbon tax deal of the government a useless approach.

Its president, Peter Kiaer, stated he feels uncomfortable as a farmer because they are participating in the uncertain experiment as part of this deal. He fears it may affect the security of the food supply in the country.