Yes, Denmark Is Taxing Cow Farts. Here’s Why.

I hope Biden or Newsom do not see this.  If so, they will use this as a way to finance their deficits and kill off an industry.

“Denmark is poised to become the first country to tax farmers for the greenhouse gas emissions from their livestock in an effort to combat climate change by targeting one of its top sources – methane.

The proposed carbon tax – which still needs to be approved by the Danish parliament, according to The Associated Press – would go into effect in 2030, when Denmark aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to 1990 levels. The U.N. Environment Program says methane is the second-biggest contributor to global warming, and the gas is released in part by farts and belches from livestock such as cows and pigs.

Imagine a nation without cows or pigs—no steak or spare ribs.  I guess they are serious, they want us to eat bugs—bet Newsom would continue to go to the French Laundry—they will have beef and pork.

This is who mentally ill the John Kerrys of the world are—taxing cow farts!  Sadly, this is not a joke.

Yes, Denmark Is Taxing Cow Farts. Here’s Why.

The Scandinavian country is taking aim at one of climate change’s top sources by proposing a carbon tax tied to the flatulence of its farmers’ livestock.

By Elliott Davis Jr., US News,  6/26/24  https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2024-06-26/explainer-denmarks-proposed-tax-on-flatulent-livestock

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Key Takeaways

• If the plan is approved by lawmakers, Denmark would become the first country to tax farmers for
  their livestock’s methane emissions.
• Methane is one of the top sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which Denmark hopes to reduce
  by 70% by 2030.
• Denmark is already perceived positively from an environmental commitment perspective, according to Best Countries survey data.

Denmark is poised to become the first country to tax farmers for the greenhouse gas emissions from their livestock in an effort to combat climate change by targeting one of its top sources – methane.

The proposed carbon tax – which still needs to be approved by the Danish parliament, according to The Associated Press – would go into effect in 2030, when Denmark aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to 1990 levels. The U.N. Environment Program says methane is the second-biggest contributor to global warming, and the gas is released in part by farts and belches from livestock such as cows and pigs.

The proposal announced this week is the result of negotiations among the parties of Denmark’s “Green tripartite,” a coalition that includes, for example, government ministers and representatives from industries such as agriculture and conservation.

“The agreement will make Denmark an international leading country for future green land management,” Henrik Dam Kristensen, chairman of the coalition, said in a translated statement. “We can all be proud of that.”

Here are the important things to know about the interesting proposal by the Scandinavian country.

What Is the Proposal?

The carbon tax will amount to 300 kroner (or $43, per AP calculations) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent starting in 2030, which will increase to 750 kroner ($108) by 2035. The effective tax, though, will be 120 kroner (about $17) starting in 2030 because of an accompanying 60% income tax deduction, according to the AP and a translated news release published by the country’s economic ministry.

Additionally, the Danish government said proceeds from the tax will be returned “to support the green transition of the industry” in 2030 and 2031. The handling of the proceeds will then be revisited in 2032.

What Are the Reasons Behind it?

It’s all part of the world’s efforts to slow the effects of climate change.

Livestock’s burps and farts help generate 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year, according to U.N. estimates reported by Reuters. The International Energy Agency also notes that agriculture – which covers livestock – was the second-largest source of methane emissions in 2022.

Denmark had over 15,000 farms with livestock in 2023, but that number had fallen every year since 2015, according to Statistics Denmark. The AP reports that a typical Danish cow produces about 6.6 tons of CO2 equivalent each year. The Danish government estimates that the new effort will help reduce emissions by anywhere from 1.8 to 2.6 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2030, “closing the shortfall” related to its 2030 climate target.

Best Countries for Green Living

The country had already been making headway in other areas, with IEA data showing that its CO2 emissions per capita had been trending downward since the early 2000s. In addition to its 2030-specific goal, Denmark also hopes by 2050 to achieve climate neutrality, which the U.N. defines as “net zero greenhouse gas emissions by balancing those emissions so they are equal (or less than) the emissions that get removed through the planet’s natural absorption.”

How Will It Be Implemented?

How exactly emissions will be measured – and taxed accordingly – is seemingly yet to be determined. The news release tied to the announcement said the government will work to implement “the elements of the agreement” and convene with the relevant parties to discuss this.

But food security regulations require Danish farmers to report the number and types of animals they raise, and these figures could be used to calculate methane emissions, according to the Copenhagen Post.

The Danish Society for Nature Conservation, which was part of the negotiations, did not respond to a request for comment on plans for the tax’s implementation.

How Is Denmark Perceived Environmentally?

While it’s impossible to predict whether the Danes will achieve their goals with the help of this proposal, the country’s latest efforts could only add to its already strong reputation as an environmental steward.

In the latest version of U.S. News’ Best Countries rankings, which reflect perceptions of 87 countries based on a survey of more than 17,000 global citizens, Denmark was ranked No. 4 when it comes to its perceived commitment to climate goals. The Scandinavian country was behind only Finland, Norway and New Zealand – which previously attempted a similar methane tax for livestock – for that subranking, which informs a broader assessment of social purpose. Denmark was also the No. 3-ranked country for caring the most about the environment.