In a world first, Denmark to tax farmers for gassy cows and pigs
- Denmark is introducing ‘a real CO2 tax on agriculture’, to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent from 1990 levels
Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs from 2030, the first country to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming.
The aim is to reduce Danish greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030, said Taxation Minister Jeppe Bruus.
As of 2030, Danish livestock farmers will be taxed 300 kroner (US$43) per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030. The tax will increase to 750 kroner by 2035. However, because of an income tax deduction of 60 per cent, the actual cost per tonne will start at 120 kroner and increase to 300 kroner by 2035.
Although carbon dioxide typically gets more attention for its role in climate change, methane traps about 87 times more heat on a 20-year timescale, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Levels of methane, which is emitted from sources including landfills, oil and natural gas systems and livestock, have increased particularly quickly since 2020. Livestock account for about 32 per cent of human-caused methane emissions, says the UN Environment Program.