Monday evening saw the unveiling of a groundbreaking agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gases by 70 percent by 2030. This agreement, resulting from a collaboration between the government, businesses, and environmental organizations, includes measures expected to collectively cut Denmark’s CO2 emissions by up to 3.3 million tons by 2035.
Minister of Taxation Jeppe Bruus (Social Democrats) stated at a press conference that this agreement represents the final major step towards achieving the 70% reduction target by 2030. “It is truly groundbreaking,” he emphasized.
The agreement incorporates several specific initiatives, such as a livestock tax, reduced use of fertilizers, afforestation, and extraction of peatlands. These measures are anticipated to contribute reductions of 1.8 million tons of CO2 by 2030, increasing to 3.3 million tons by 2035.
Maria Reumert Gjerding, president of the Danish Society for Nature Conservation, described the agreement as a significant step in the right direction.
As early as summer 2022, an agreement on a green tax reform for the industry was reached, marking an important milestone towards the 2030 goal. The Minister of Taxation highlighted how the largest emitters in the industry had reduced their CO2 emissions by 20% in response to this agreement. “It’s a very concrete proof that it works,” he stated.
The agreement also ensures that Denmark’s EU commitments regarding the land and forestry sector (LULUCF) will be fulfilled. There is further potential for reductions through faster extraction of peatlands, deployment of pyrolysis, and other initiatives from the Green Land Fund, which combined could contribute an additional 1.8 – 2.6 million tons of CO2 reductions by 2030.