The Danish government has taken another important step in its ambitious climate and agricultural transition by appointing a new minister specifically tasked with implementing the so-called “tripartite” climate and agriculture plan. Experienced politician from the Social Democratic Party Jeppe Bruus takes over a number of key tasks from the Ministers of Agriculture, Environment and Climate, and Nature Conservation.
The appointment of Jeppe Bruus as “tripartite minister” underlines the importance that the Danish government attaches to successful implementation of the Climate Agreement. Bruus is known for his firm approach and experience with complex policy dossiers. The new 'tripartite superminister' will thus be 'above' the other ministers, more or less comparable to the Climate Commissioner within the European Commission.
The Climate Agreement is the result of intensive negotiations between the Danish government and various stakeholders. The plan contains a series of measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture and livestock farming, sectors that are responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same time, the agricultural sector needs to undergo a transformation towards more sustainable practices. The Danish parliament still needs to approve this this autumn.
One of the most striking measures is the introduction of a new carbon tax for agricultural companies, which should encourage companies to reduce their emissions and invest in greener technologies and practices.
In addition, the agreement provides for a possible reduction in the dairy and livestock sectors. This could mean that some livestock farms will be forced to reduce or even close down their activities, depending on their impact on the environment. However, this part of the plan is still under discussion.
Another important element of the Climate Agreement is the plan to convert parts of the current agricultural area into forests and natural areas. In the coming decades, significant areas of agricultural land will be planted with trees, which will not only contribute to CO2 storage but also to biodiversity and nature conservation.
The reactions to Bruus’ appointment and the creation 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, are concerned about the economic impact of the proposed measures, such as the carbon tax and the reduction of livestock farming. They fear that the burden will fall mainly on the shoulders of farmers, which could lead to tensions between the different parties.