125 kroner per ton of CO2 is not sufficient, according to the Socialist People’s Party (SF), the Danish Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre), and the Conservative Party. When it comes to a CO2 tax for agriculture, 125 kroner per ton of emitted CO2 is far from sufficient, stated SF, Radikale Venstre, and the Conservatives. These parties believe that the proposed tax should have a real effect to gain their support. The current model, which is designed to be the most lenient for agriculture, is therefore already ruled out in advance.
The proposed model at 125 kroner per ton of CO2 delivers too few and too uncertain CO2 reductions, according to SF’s political spokesperson Signe Munk. She said, “It is a model that basically relies on too little tax and too much hope, and at the same time sends the biggest possible bill to the rest of society, which in the end either leads to higher taxes or poorer welfare.” Earlier this year, an expert panel presented three proposals for a possible CO2 tax for agriculture. The most expensive model proposes a tax of 750 kroner per ton of greenhouse gas, the intermediate one at 375 kroner, and the cheapest at 125 kroner. It is the last model, also known as “Model 3,” that is facing opposition from SF, Radikale Venstre, and the Conservatives.
Radikale Venstres climate spokesperson Samira Nawa finds it unacceptable to base a CO2 tax on the lowest rate. “We need to ensure less emissions, less animal production, and more plant-based production. We have a unique opportunity now, and we fail our responsibility if we adopt a tax that is too low,” she said. Mona Juul, chair of the Conservative Party, points out that “in principle,” it is not the size of the tax that is crucial. “As long as the model chosen works, and as long as agriculture has the opportunity to switch and thus avoid the tax, the size is not that crucial. But with the lowest tax in these models, we risk that it will not have any effect. Therefore, it does not make sense to continue working with that model,” she stated.
The three proposed models, if implemented, would lead to reductions in emissions between 2.4 million and 3.2 million tons. However, the parties believe that Model 3 provides too few reductions and is too uncertain in terms of reaching the goal. The statement comes at a time when negotiations on a CO2 tax for agriculture are intensifying. A green tripartite group with representatives from the government, agriculture, and green organizations is expected to conclude the negotiations this month. After that, the government will present its proposal for a CO2 tax.
“There are certainly exciting discussions going on in the green tripartite group, but ultimately there must be a political majority for the tax model to be implemented,” said Signe Munk. “For the green parties, it must be absolutely crucial that it is a CO2 tax that actually delivers CO2 reductions and helps our water environment,” she added. Negotiations continue, and it will be interesting to see which model will finally be adopted.