The appointment of Jeppe Bruus as "tripartite minister" underscores the importance the Danish government places on the successful implementation of the Climate Agreement. Bruus is known for his firm approach and experience with complex policy dossiers. The new ‘tripartite super minister’ will thus stand ‘above’ the other ministers, somewhat comparable to the Climate Commissioner within the European Commission.
The Climate Agreement is the outcome of intensive negotiations between the Danish government and various stakeholders. The plan includes a series of measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture and livestock sectors, which are responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same time, the agricultural sector must undergo a transformation towards more sustainable practices. The Danish parliament still needs to approve the plan this autumn.
One of the most striking measures is the introduction of a new CO2 tax for agricultural businesses. This tax is intended to encourage companies to reduce their emissions and invest in greener technologies and practices.
Additionally, the agreement foresees a possible downsizing of the dairy and livestock sectors. This could mean that some livestock farms will be forced to limit or even cease their activities depending on their environmental impact. However, this part of the plan remains subject to ongoing discussion.
Another important element of the Climate Agreement is the plan to convert parts of the current agricultural land into forests and nature reserves. In the coming decades, substantial tracts of farmland will be planted with trees, which will not only contribute to CO2 storage but also to biodiversity and nature conservation.
Reactions to the appointment of Bruus and the establishment of the new ministry have been mixed. Some analysts and stakeholders are optimistic and see this as an important step towards a greener future. Others, particularly from the agricultural sector, express concerns about the economic impact of the proposed measures, such as the CO2 tax and the downsizing of livestock farming. They fear that the burden will largely fall on the shoulders of farmers, which could lead to tensions between the different parties.