November 18th 2024
A broad coalition of parties in the Danish parliament has just announced what has been labeled a “historic” agreement by the politicians. The agreement is based on the Green Tripartite Initiative and makes Denmark the first country in the world to tax livestock emissions, starting in 2030 and increasing in 2035. The Danish government says of the agreement that it is “the greatest transformation of the Danish landscape in over 100 years”.
The Vegetarian Society of Denmark (DVF) believes that the political agreement on the Green Tripartite Initiative sends a crucial signal to the rest of the world by once again positioning a shift toward more plant-based foods as a central part of the solution.
Partly through a substantial grant of 55 mio. Euro to the Plant Based Food Grant (Plantefonden), which will now be made permanent. The Plant Based Food Grant supports research into new crops, entrepreneurs developing innovative products, training for chefs, and much more.
Partly through Denmark’s commitment to work toward a European action plan for plant-based foods.
“If we are to halt global warming and save our marine environment, there is consensus among scientists that a transition to significantly more plant-based production and consumption is unavoidable,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, Secretary-General of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark, who is currently attending the UN Climate Summit in Baku.
The Boston Consulting Group has calculated that investments in plant-based foods yield the greatest climate impact per dollar invested—outperforming not only other agricultural initiatives but also measures in construction, energy, and transportation.
“The most reliable way to achieve a net positive impact on the global climate and nature is to develop the food systems of the future, where plant-based foods are at the center. This is the only way to ensure that reduced agricultural land use and more forests in Denmark do not merely shift the problem elsewhere. At the same time, we can develop new products for export and inspire the rest of the world to recognize that plant-based foods are an essential part of the solution,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.
International perspective: Denmark’s plant-based initiatives are crucial
According to the Secretary-General of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark, the most promising aspect of the agreement is not the plans to convert farmland into forests and other natural areas. Globally, the world can only gain more nature if agricultural areas are freed up through a shift to more plant-based food production. Plant-based production requires significantly less land than animal-based production.
“What we hear from scientists and NGOs in other countries – and at this year’s climate summit – is that it is of tremendous importance for Denmark to continue prioritizing plant-based solutions and to take responsibility for advancing this agenda internationally. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to see that the Danish government is now committed to advocating for this at the EU level. The timing is perfect, as Denmark holds the EU presidency next fall,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.
“We want to commend parties like Green Left (Socialistisk Folkeparti) and Danish Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre) for, during the negotiations, insisting that the transition to plant-based foods be the long-term priority. We cannot simply reduce agricultural land and intensify animal production; we must develop the plant-based food systems of the future. Looking back 20–30 years from now, this will stand out as the most crucial decision in the agreement.”
Key Plant-Based Elements of the Agreement
- The agreement emphasizes that “the parties agree that a shift to more plant production is a central element in the green transition.”
- An additional DKK 420 million for the Plant Based Food Grant between 2025–2030.
- The Plant Based Food Grant will be made permanent (previously set to end in 2030), potentially increasing the value of plant-based initiatives under the agreement to over DKK 1 billion.
- Denmark commits to advocating for a European action plan for plant-based foods.
- An additional DKK 15 million is allocated for other plant-based initiatives, with specific details to be agreed upon by the negotiation circle.
Fair Conditions for Plant-Based Foods
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl points out that much more is needed to restore marine life around Denmark and save the struggling Danish environment.
For example the Danish universities KU, AU and DTU, alongside Seges, estimate that annual investments in plant-based foods need to reach DKK 600 million.
“If you have, for example, DKK 5 billion, it’s indisputable that spending the money on plant-based foods yields the greatest benefits for both climate and environment. It is therefore hard to understand why the Danish government plans to spend DKK 10 billion on pyrolysis, which has a slower and more uncertain climate impact, rather than allocating the funds directly to plant-based foods,” says Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.
The Secretary-General also highlights that the climate tax on livestock must be significantly higher than proposed to counterbalance the many subsidies that favor animal-based foods over plant-based production.
“Denmark has many innovative plant-based startups, but they face unfair conditions because subsidies from farm to fork primarily support animal production. It remains unbalanced,” he says.
DVF also calls on the government to introduce official targets for food in public kitchens, such as requiring that meals align with official dietary guidelines, recommending a healthy, plant-rich diet and less meat. This would create significant climate benefits, inspire private consumption, and result in substantial public health savings.
“If this was not included in the Green Tripartite Agreement, it must be prioritized in the upcoming Finance Bill,” concludes Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl.
For further information or comments, contact CCO Berit Ertmann.