Cows, Pigs Face Carbon Tax in Denmark
2024-06-28
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1Denmark will tax farm animals such as cattle and pigs for releasing methane, a kind of greenhouse gas, starting in 2030.
2Some scientists think that greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere causing rising temperatures.
3The European country is the first in the world to agree to such measures targeting greenhouse gas emissions.
4Taxation Minister Jeppe Bruus said the aim is to reduce Danish greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent from 1990 levels by 2030.
5Danish farmers will be taxed about $43 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030.
6However, because of an income tax deduction of 60 percent, the actual cost per ton will start at $17.30 and increase to $43 by 2035.
7Carbon dioxide usually gets more attention for its part in climate change.
8But the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says methane traps about 87 times more heat over on a 20-year timescale under some conditions.
9Methane is emitted from landfills, oil and natural gas systems and farm animals.
10Scientists say it has increased quickly since 2020.
11The United Nations Environment Program says 32 percent of human-caused methane comes from farm animals.
12Bruus said, "We will take a big step closer in becoming climate neutral in 2045."
13He added that Denmark "will be the first country in the world to introduce a real CO2 tax on agriculture" and hoped other countries would follow.
14New Zealand passed a similar law that was to take effect in 2025.
15However, the legislation was recently removed after farmers criticized the measure.
16There was also a change of government following the 2023 election.
17New Zealand said it would not include agriculture in its emissions trading policy and would look for other ways to reduce methane.
18In Denmark, the center-right government reached the tax agreement after meeting with farmers, business representatives, labor organizations, and others.
19Denmark's move comes after months of protests by farmers across Europe against climate change measures.
20The rules, they say, could drive them out of business.
21The Danish Society for Nature Conservation, an environmental group, took part in the talks.
22It described the tax agreement as "a historic compromise."
23Maria Reumert Gjerding, head of the organization said, "We have succeeded in landing a compromise on a CO2 tax, which lays the groundwork for a restructured food industry -- also on the other side of 2030."
24An average cow in Denmark is believed to produce the equivalent of about six metric tons of CO2 yearly.
25The government of Denmark said that there were nearly 1.5 million cattle in the country in 2022.
26The Scandinavian country is a large dairy and pork exporter.
27Denmark also will tax pigs although they produce far less emissions than cows.
28The tax is to be approved in the 179-seat parliament.
29The bill is expected to pass.
30I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1Denmark will tax farm animals such as cattle and pigs for releasing methane, a kind of greenhouse gas, starting in 2030. 2Some scientists think that greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere causing rising temperatures. 3The European country is the first in the world to agree to such measures targeting greenhouse gas emissions. 4Taxation Minister Jeppe Bruus said the aim is to reduce Danish greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. 5Danish farmers will be taxed about $43 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030. However, because of an income tax deduction of 60 percent, the actual cost per ton will start at $17.30 and increase to $43 by 2035. 6Carbon dioxide usually gets more attention for its part in climate change. But the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says methane traps about 87 times more heat over on a 20-year timescale under some conditions. 7Methane is emitted from landfills, oil and natural gas systems and farm animals. Scientists say it has increased quickly since 2020. The United Nations Environment Program says 32 percent of human-caused methane comes from farm animals. 8Bruus said, "We will take a big step closer in becoming climate neutral in 2045." He added that Denmark "will be the first country in the world to introduce a real CO2 tax on agriculture" and hoped other countries would follow. 9New Zealand passed a similar law that was to take effect in 2025. However, the legislation was recently removed after farmers criticized the measure. There was also a change of government following the 2023 election. New Zealand said it would not include agriculture in its emissions trading policy and would look for other ways to reduce methane. 10In Denmark, the center-right government reached the tax agreement after meeting with farmers, business representatives, labor organizations, and others. 11Denmark's move comes after months of protests by farmers across Europe against climate change measures. The rules, they say, could drive them out of business. 12The Danish Society for Nature Conservation, an environmental group, took part in the talks. It described the tax agreement as "a historic compromise." 13Maria Reumert Gjerding, head of the organization said, "We have succeeded in landing a compromise on a CO2 tax, which lays the groundwork for a restructured food industry -- also on the other side of 2030." 14An average cow in Denmark is believed to produce the equivalent of about six metric tons of CO2 yearly. The government of Denmark said that there were nearly 1.5 million cattle in the country in 2022. The Scandinavian country is a large dairy and pork exporter. Denmark also will tax pigs although they produce far less emissions than cows. 15The tax is to be approved in the 179-seat parliament. The bill is expected to pass. 16I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 17Jan Olsen reported this story for The Associated Press. Hai Do adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 18_______________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20emissions -n. (pl.) substances, such as gases, that are release into the air by some process 21equivalent -adj. having the same effect, amount or result to something else that is more or less similar 22deduction -n. a value that depends on other values and which, after calculation, results in the reduction of a sum 23landfill -n. a place where waste and garbage are buried in the ground 24groundwork -n. the first steps in producing a larger and more substantial result 25dairy -n. related to the industry of producing milk and milk products 26We want to hear from you. 27Our comment policy is here.