In Denmark, the government and agricultural unions have reached an agreement on a significant reduction in air pollution. By 2030, the emissions of 15 million tons of carbon dioxide must be nearly halved to 8 million tons.
The largest share (1 million tons) will be achieved by taking about 100,000 hectares of marshy coastal land, which until now has been drained, out of production and leaving it undrained. Alongside widespread reforestation and agriculture, the emission reduction is estimated at just under one million tons of carbon dioxide.
Danish authorities have mapped the areas where emission reductions can be most effective. In practice, farmers inquire with the government whether their land is suitable and make an agreement about its use. The fields under contract must be managed naturally, meaning they cannot be drained. Even in dry years, no cultivation is allowed.
The requirements of the green transition do not come from the Danish government; the agricultural organizations themselves have set the measures. “We have taken responsibility to take action so that the reduction targets are met. Politicians have the responsibility to find the funding,” said Jan Laustsen, director of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, recently.
In Danish agriculture, it was known that strict measures and enforcement actions would be introduced to curb emissions, so making an agreement based on their own principles was a better and more sustainable option. For now, the system is based on voluntariness. However, it is still unclear what compensation the farmer will receive.
“Farmers are uncertain and skeptical about what kind of agreement they are signing and what it means in the long term,” Laustsen explains. So far, few agreements have been made. Another issue to be resolved is how any compensation will be taxed.
The 100,000 hectares represent only 3-4 percent of Denmark's agricultural land. “The risk is that the reduction of 100,000 hectares will not be realized voluntarily. Then enforcement measures will come into play,” says Laustsen.
Laustsen states that as long as consultations continue and tax and compensation issues can be resolved, a reduction on 100,000 hectares should be achievable. “Farmers understand that much must be done to meet climate and environmental goals,” Laustsen says about the mood among farmers.
“No one likes to give up their land, but if this happens voluntarily and together, it would be a big step forward.”