Ricard Pardell’s Post

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

Denmark to introduce world's first carbon tax on agriculture to cut greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. Starting in 2030, Danish farmers will pay $43 per ton of CO2, increasing to $108 by 2035, with significant tax breaks. The plan aims to cut emissions by 70 percent from 1990 levels by 2030, and move towards climate neutrality by 2045. Approval pending in parliament. Is this the future of sustainable agriculture? Read 🌐DailyChatter to find out. *** #Denmark #ClimateAction #Sustainability #DailyChatter #WorldNews --- The Independent Financial Times

Denmark Pioneers World’s First Carbon Tax on Agriculture: Implications for Australia? Denmark is proposing to introduce a groundbreaking carbon tax on agriculture, starting at DKK 300 per tonne of CO2e in 2030, increasing to DKK 750 by 2035. This move is part of an ambitious plan to reduce emissions and revamp agricultural practices, targeting a reduction of 1.8 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030. Additionally, a DKK 40 billion green fund will support initiatives like afforestation and strategic land management, showcasing Denmark's commitment to sustainability. Analysis: This policy marks a significant shift in tackling agricultural emissions, crucial for addressing climate change. The phased approach, coupled with initial deductions, balances compliance with minimal financial impact on farmers. Denmark's integration of land management with environmental goals sets a precedent in sustainable agriculture. Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - SDG 13: Climate Action - The carbon tax mitigates climate change by reducing agricultural emissions. - SDG 15: Life on Land - Afforestation and strategic land acquisition enhance biodiversity and sustainable land management. - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Modernising food production aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns. Policy Implications for Australia: Could Australia adopt similar frameworks, using incentives and phased strategies to align agricultural practices with climate goals? Establishing a green fund would bolster biodiversity and land management, keeping pace with global sustainability trends. Business Implications - Risks: Potentially increased costs for agricultural businesses due to new emissions regulations. - Opportunities: Advancements in sustainable practices and technologies, positioning as market leaders in low-carbon agriculture. What are your thoughts on Denmark’s approach? Could similar measures benefit Australia? Murray Watt Tanya Plibersek Mary Stewart Ilona Millar Matthew Warnken John Quiggin Sue Ogilvy David Pannell Michelle Monteiro Sarah Wheeler Professor John Cole OAM #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateAction #BusinessStrategy Link to article for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gTVMe8k3

Our latest blog: "Eating into ETS", sees Institute for European Environmental Policy UK (IEEP UK), Executive Director,  Ben Reynolds interviewing our Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) colleagues Julia Bognar and Krystyna Springer about their work on this a potential new policy avenue for the European Commission on food and farming. It raises some crucial questions of today's agricultural emissions landscape, such as: 🤔 Could food and farming be part of an emissions trading scheme in the UK in the future? 💰 Could this benefit nature-friendly farmers with additional revenue if effectively targeted? 🌽 How might this work in the UK, and, is anyone else working on this? Read the blog in full on our website 👇 https://lnkd.in/eu9SvVF3 #EuropeanUnion #UnitedKingdom #AgricultureAndFarming #EmissionsReduction #Food

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

We are highly concerned by the European Parliaments move to push forward with a vote on an urgency procedure which leaves no time for democratic debate and hinders proper assessment of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform that affects 30% of the EU budget! 💰 ⚖ This comes as IFOAM Organics Europe and European Coordination Via Campesina publish an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressing that "while reducing administrative burdens for farmers is necessary, this must not result in lower environmental ambitions and further exacerbating the impact of climate change and of the biodiversity collapse that farmers already witness." Not only does the proposal threaten EU efforts and obligations to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, but it also provides no evidence or strong argument that the proposed changes will actually reduce the administrative burden on farmers. On top of this there is simply no evidence that illustrates how the immediate removal of basic environmental requirements from the CAP will meet farmers' demands. Therefore we call on Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament and Renew Europe to firmly oppose this unlawful and undemocratic attempt to adopt a major reform of the CAP! Read the open letter 👇 "CAP Simplification Rules – we were consulted but not heard" https://lnkd.in/eeH4Acnt #commonagriculturalpolicy #CAP #farmerprotests #democracy #farming #climatechange #biodiversityloss

#Agricultural #subsidies have become the focus of public attention, not least since the discussion surrounding the reform plans for agricultural diesel and the motor vehicle tax exemption for agricultural vehicles in Germany. Now the think tank Forum Ökologisch-Soziale Marktwirtschaft (FÖS) has published an intriguing study demonstrating how agricultural subsidies can be restructured in favour of #nature #conservation #measures 💡 The authors state that "investing in the restoration of these ecosystems can not only reduce / prevent further losses in these ecosystems but improve the resilience of ecosystems, climate mitigation as well as employment opportunities. Such investments have to be made by both private and public funders. Reallocating environmentally harmful subsidies and greening agricultural grants can increase funding for investments in nature and ecosystems while creating several positive co-benefits (finance, climate, land use, employment, etc.)." 🌱 #truecostaccounting #TCA #sustainability #systemchange #greenagricutlure https://lnkd.in/eNbmfbTc

The Baltic leader in potato production is facing serious environmental problems Lithuania turned out to be the largest potato producer in the Baltic States by the end of 2023. Other areas of agricultural business are also actively developing here. However, non-governmental organizations in the country have estimated that as a result of the industry’s work, about a quarter of all greenhouse gases are released into the environment. This contributes to increased air and water pollution and the loss of former biodiversity.Public activists presented recommendations to the Seimas on how to change the situation. In a document prepared for Parliament, they indicated that agriculture accounts for over 95 percent of the ammonia released into the environment. About half of the local reservoirs are in a depressing state, and environmental problems are getting worse.According to the organizations, 19 percent of the soil in Lithuania has already been eroded, which encourages plant growers to expand their acreage. Since 2003, the number of farmers in the republic has halved, but the arable land they use has increased by 17 percent. Today, almost half of the country’s territory is already in... https://lnkd.in/ekj-NgFB

The Baltic leader in potato production is facing serious environmental problems Lithuania turned out to be the largest potato producer in the Baltic States by the end of 2023. Other areas of agricultural business are also actively developing here. However, non-governmental organizations in the country have estimated that as a result of the industry’s work, about a quarter of all greenhouse gases are released into the environment. This contributes to increased air and water pollution and the loss of former biodiversity.Public activists presented recommendations to the Seimas on how to change the situation. In a document prepared for Parliament, they indicated that agriculture accounts for over 95 percent of the ammonia released into the environment. About half of the local reservoirs are in a depressing state, and environmental problems are getting worse.According to the organizations, 19 percent of the soil in Lithuania has already been eroded, which encourages plant growers to expand their acreage. Since 2003, the number of farmers in the republic has halved, but the arable land they use has increased by 17 percent. Today, almost half of the country’s territory is already i... https://lnkd.in/eMtC5EJr

The European Commission is considering a pioneering Emissions Trading System (ETS) for the agricultural sector, aiming to reduce its substantial carbon footprint. By setting a carbon price, this system could drive innovation and efficiency in farming practices, encouraging sustainability. Integrating agriculture into broader climate strategies is crucial to achieving the EU's ambitious carbon reduction targets. This initiative underscores the importance of sustainable agriculture in the fight against climate change. Read more about the potential impacts and design considerations. #Sustainability #CarbonMarkets #ClimateAction #Agriculture #EUClimatePolicy Hirander Misra