Denmark to Impose World’s First Carbon Tax on Livestock: €100 per Cow from 2030

Jun 26, 2024, 03:48 PM

Denmark, a major pork and dairy exporter, is set to become the first country in the world to impose a carbon tax on livestock farmers, targeting emissions from cows, sheep, and pigs. Starting in 2030, farmers will be charged €100 per cow annually for the greenhouse gases emitted by their livestock. The tax aims to reduce Denmark's total emissions by 70% from 1990 levels by 2030. The initiative is part of a broader plan to combat climate change, with the Novo Nordisk Foundation financing $1.4 billion of the plan. The tax will rise to 300 Danish krone (€40) per ton of emitted CO2 equivalent by 2035. The move follows months of negotiations with trade bodies and environmental groups, and it is expected to inspire other countries to implement similar measures. Methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming, are a key target. Taxation Minister Jeppe Bruus emphasized the importance of this measure in achieving Denmark's climate goals.