Denmark Became First Country To Impose A ‘Fart Tax’ On Cattle Ranchers’ Methane Emissions
Denmark has just become the first country in the world to impose “fart taxes” on farmers and cattle ranchers.
From 2030, farmers in Denmark will have to pay a tax for the gas emissions of their cows, sheep and pigs that contribute to climate change.
These animals produce a greenhouse gas called methane, which contribute to both global warming and climate change.
The “flatulence tax” indicates that farmers would have to pay 300 kroner ($42) per ton of methane which their animals produce in a bid to decrease Denmark’s emissions.
The policy was formulated following months of debate between the country’s major political parties, Danish farmers, trade unions and environmental groups. It is known as The Green Tripartite agreement.
Nearly 60% of Denmark’s territory is currently being cultivated, and the farming industry is responsible for much of Denmark’s pollution.
A 2023 report states that the Danish agricultural industry has not reduced its greenhouse gas emissions for over ten years.
But the new Green Tripartite agreement hopes to reduce Denmark’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2.35 million tons by 2032.
“We will do what it takes to reach our climate goals,” Denmark’s Green Tripartite minister Jeppe Bruus said in a statement.
“[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 coastlines,” Bruus added. “A tax on pollution has the aim to change behavior.”
The plan includes attempting to improve the biodiversity of Denmark by replacing farm land with more than 250,000 hectares of new forest.
They hope this will, in turn, improve both the waterways around the country and drinking water.
Farmers and dairy owners are also planning to include a chemical supplement in animal feed that they hope will decrease methane emissions.
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