Environmental Accounting Services’ Post

It is crucial that any tax aimed at promoting the sustainability of our planet should be applied first and foremost to emissions for which there are EXISTING and VIABLE MEANS of elimination. This targeted approach ensures that the tax effectively drives real change and does not devolve into a mere political game. We still face extreme gaps in real actions to minimize fossil fuel usage, enhance renewable energy adoption and improve energy efficiency across various industries. Our farmers are currently in the middle of a significant effort to minimize their environmental footprint by adopting practices such as regenerative farming, precision agriculture, improved manure management. This sector is undergoing huge changes for the benefit of the planet, making it unfair to impose a broad tax. The European Union still lacks comprehensive tools, methodologies and frameworks to help farmers accurately measure and report their progress. Instead of working on these crucial missing elements to enable farmers to measure and improve their sustainability efforts, imposing fees is counterproductive and can only serve as a distraction! Instead of addressing the core issues of emission reduction, it gives the false impression of progress while allowing the most significant sources of emissions to continue unchanged. Therefore, if this tax proposal is voted into effect by the parliament without these critical considerations, it risks acting more as a diversion, rather than a real step towards true environmental sustainability. #sustainableagriculture https://lnkd.in/dnz_CM4K

The article gives a bold proposition: "... given the difficulty of making a living from farming today, turning farms into more stable businesses owned by companies that can afford to invest might just help to keep more people on the land." Indeed, economies of scale come handy, as capex and machinery investments are expensive. 💰 Large-scale farming is the answer for the majority of global calories. 🥐 But election votes are cast by vast numbers of small farmers - and here you should seek the reasons for agri-populism. 📢 Since European #farming is materially impacted by #subsidies, governments are remaining key stakeholders of the European #foodsystem. Annual farm subsidies of about €60bn make up roughly a third of the EU budget. But even beyond that, governments must keep interest in how earth/soil in their lands is cultivated, as this is closely tied with #foodsecurity - and #nationalsecurity. Keep an eye on policy changes and understand that buying short-term peace is not a long-term solution! https://lnkd.in/eVctFsBy

📢 Denmark’s Carbon Tax on Agriculture: A Game-Changer for Climate Action and Investment Opportunities Denmark has introduced the world's first carbon tax on farm emissions, targeting livestock and fertilizers. This historic move aims to reduce agricultural emissions, which account for close to a quarter of the country's total. With tax rates up to US$100 per ton of CO2e, this policy promotes sustainable farming practices and technological innovation. Funds raised will be used to support farmers to decarbonise and for nature restoration. This is big news because until now agriculture has largely been excluded from carbon taxes or emissions trading schemes globally.   Interestingly, this initiative is modelled after New Zealand's proposed agricultural emissions tax. However, New Zealand recently decided to scrap its plan due to significant backlash from farmers and concerns about economic impacts. The New Zealand government has said instead it will focus on other ways to reduce methane without affecting production or exports.   🔍 Denmark’s implementation of a carbon tax on agriculture underscores the global shift towards stringent environmental regulations. Will other nations follow?

Scottish farmers win battle over food subsidies Scotland's farmers will continue receiving most of their existing subsidies for growing food, the first minister has announced. Humza Yousaf told NFU Scotland's spring conference in Glasgow that 70% of future support will be direct payments. Green groups argue that the majority of the subsidies should be for tackling climate change and nature loss. The farmers' union said that would lead some businesses to financial ruin and to agricultural land being abandoned. Agriculture is a significant contributor to climate change, responsible for 19% of Scotland's planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental organisations have been lobbying for farm subsidies - worth £620m a year - to be used as a tool to cut those emissions. In a long-awaited announcement at the conference, it was confirmed by First Minister Humza Yousaf that most subsidies will be earmarked for direct payments to help farmers produce food. The remaining 30% of the cash will be for targeted measures like creating wetlands or restoring peatlands. https://lnkd.in/eTT-vsGf

A carbon tax on livestock would be political suicide in Australia. But many would have said the same thing about ending live sheep export..... but here we are... so never say never! A few key thoughts: If other countries follow suit, then as an exporting nation Aus should be prepared for more border taxes that level the playing field for local producers. Like the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). So we need to sort emissions on this end (reduce and remove), it will be cheaper than paying border tariffs. There is much debate in the ag industry about the fact that methane behaves differently in the atmosphere and has a different cycle. so it is not fair to have the CO2 equivalent conversion. For this argument to hold water, it would need to be accepted by major international bodies and governments. Doesn't matter what we do domestically, we need to measure up to our export destinations. To date globally the ag industry has avoided emission trading schemes and carbon taxes, this could be the beginning of a change... As a high emitting industry, the pressure is only going to ramp up. Getting on the front foot is the only choice!! Will be watching this one with interest to see how it plays out.

Denmark's proposed tax on agricultural emissions is a global first and a big step in the right direction 👏 but it's no silver bullet ⚠️ Writing in Social Europe, our own Mathieu Mal explains the positives and pitfalls of Denmark’s plans, the potential of emissions-pricing systems, and why this is no time for complacency https://lnkd.in/esX-qn_S #RestoreNature #ClimateCrisis #Agriculture #EmissionsTax #EmissionPricingSystem #Denmark #SocialEurope #OpinionPiece

Very interesting to see this extension of carbon pricing to agriculture. Like in other sectors, it can help ensure that GHG emissions are integrated into business decisions, and free up finance for innovation and the transition to sustainable practices. Like in other applications of carbon pricing, there will also be tricky questions that need to be answered. Will farmers be able to price in these costs so that they are shared across the value chain? How will this affect competitiveness? How can leakage be avoided? I’m looking forward to the effects, and whether other countries will follow Denmark’s example.

🌍🌾 Countries worldwide face the challenge of reducing food production emissions while ensuring food security. Livestock, particularly cows, significantly contributes to these emissions. 🇩🇰 Denmark is stepping up with a groundbreaking move: the world's first agricultural carbon tax. Starting in 2030, Danish cattle farmers will pay around €100 per cow annually for their greenhouse gas emissions.  🇪🇺 In the meantime, the European Commission is also exploring an EU-wide agricultural emissions trading system and might get inspired by Denmark’s approach. #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Agriculture #CarbonTax #EnvironmentalImpact

דנמרק המדינה הראשונה בעולם שתטיל מס על פליטות פחמן על הסקטור החקלאי החל מ-2030. במקביל, יושקעו 5.4 מיליארד יורו בפרויקטים של rewilding, (פירוא- השבה לטבע) חלקם בשיקום אדמות חקלאיות Denmark announces world-first climate tax on agriculture – and will dedicate billions to rewilding! Denmark has announced a historic carbon tax on farm emissions, making it the first country in the world to put a levy on agriculture. The agreement, following five months of tough negotiations between the government, nature and farming groups, will help Denmark achieve its 2030 climate target. Denmark announces world-first climate tax on agriculture – earmarks billions for rewilding Denmark has announced a historic carbon tax on farm emissions, making it the first country in the world to put a levy on agriculture. The agreement, following five months of tough negotiations between the government, nature and farming groups, will help Denmark achieve its 2030 climate target. This is the first time a country taxes agricultural emissions. From 2035, Danish farmers will pay a levy of DKK 300 per tonne of CO2 they emit. The agreement, negotiated over the past five months by a so-called Green Tripartite of figures from government, NGOs, nature and agriculture associations, was hailed as historic by several commentators. Speaking at the press conference at which the agreement was presented last night, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described it as the most far-sighted agreement he had ever contributed to. “It is an extremely long-term project, where we create more nature, more biodiversity, but at the same time we also have in mind that we must have a strong and viable agriculture sector,” he said. Economy Minister Stephanie Lose anticipated the agreement would see “a realignment of our agricultural and food industry”. https://lnkd.in/dqHb2E3u

"Denmark is moving ahead with the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture, charging farmers €100 per cow annually for their emissions." After months of intense negotiations, Denmark's government has agreed on a groundbreaking tax targeting livestock emissions. This is a crucial part of the global fight against climate change, considering agriculture's significant contribution to global emissions. Western European countries are stepping up. Recently, I heard on the radio here in the Netherlands about trucks being restricted from cities unless they meet strict emission standards. But in other parts of the world, progress is slower. Denmark’s initiative incentivizes farmers to reduce emissions and aims to pave the way for similar global efforts. However, it hasn't been without controversy. Some farmers and green organizations have criticized the deal, while others see it as a necessary push toward a sustainable future. Thoughts on Denmark's approach to tackling agricultural emissions? Could this be a model for other nations, or are there better solutions? Would like to know what you think. #climateaction #agriculture #sustainablefarming #revolutionizeREGwithTECH #RegPac