News • Climate Change and Nature
Denmark shows how agriculture can be involved in tackling the climate crisis
Unlike the UK, who has no plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture in its Net Zero Strategy, Denmark's agriculture sector has legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% to 65% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.
The Danish targets were agreed by a majority in parliament earlier in October, following extensive talks with stakeholders across the sector from slaughterhouse workers to environmental organisations. Now, Denmark is on a mission to inspire other countries to follow.
In a reception at the Embassy of Denmark in the UK, which Sustain attended, the Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture & Fisheries Rasmus Prehn announced Denmark’s plans ahead of COP26 and added:
“On visits like this, my intention is to inspire other countries like the United Kingdom to follow us. Just like the time we were pioneers with our wind turbines.”
Despite no plans to downsize production, the country plans substantial investment in plant-based foods and organic production, alongside bioenergy and the restauration of drained agricultural peatlands.
Read the full speech by Minister Rasmus Prehn
Published Wednesday 27 October 2021
Climate Change and Nature: Sustain has taken a keen interest in the rapidly accumulating evidence about the effect of food and farming on climate change and nature, as scientific evidence emerges that our food system is a very significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
