Historic agreement on green transition in Denmark

“When we talk to students and farmers in Denmark about the green transition, most agree that they, – and the entire agricultural sector, plays a crucial and important role. But when asked how they can act more climate-smart, many become less clear. We need to give students and farmers specific skills to work in a climate-smart way and give the entire sector a more proactive voice and role in the green transition”

Kasper Hvelplund Overgaard – Denmark CoVE Regional Captain

“When we talk to students and farmers in Denmark about the green transition, most agree that they, – and the entire agricultural sector, plays a crucial and important role. But when asked how they can act more climate-smart, many become less clear. We need to give students and farmers specific skills to work in a climate-smart way and give the entire sector a more proactive voice and role in the green transition”

Kasper Hvelplund Overgaard – Denmark CoVE Regional Captain

Historic agreement on green transition in Denmark

In November 2024, the Danish government presented a groundbreaking green tripartite agreement to promote sustainable solutions in agriculture. The agreement is an important milestone in the fight against climate change and focuses on reducing the environmental impact of agriculture, which currently accounts for 69% of Denmark’s total nitrogen emissions.

The main elements of the agreement:

  • Reduction of nitrogen emissions: Reduction of nitrogen emissions: The goal is to reduce emissions by 13,780 tons of nitrogen per year from 2027.
  • Conversion of agricultural land: Approximately every sixth field will be converted into forest, open natural areas and wetlands. This includes planting 1 billion trees over the next 20 years. Approximately 140,000 hectares of low-lying land will be set aside, and 250,000 hectares of forest will be planted.
  • CO2 tax on livestock production: A CO2 tax is introduced on emissions from livestock.

Collaboration across sectors

The agreement is the result of a broad collaboration between political parties, the government and organizations such as the Danish Agriculture & Food Council and the Danish Society for Nature Conservation. The foundation for the agreement was laid in June 2024 and has since been concretized in negotiations.

Support for farmers

Farmers will have the opportunity to receive financial support for projects such as the establishment of wetlands, lowland set-aside and afforestation. These measures will both benefit the climate and improve the conditions for nature, while keeping Danish agriculture competitive.

Education as the key to the transition

The green transition in agriculture requires knowledge and new skills. Therefore, education and partnerships play an important role in equipping future farmers for the challenges ahead.

Four agricultural schools in Central Jutland, Food & Bio Cluster and Aarhus University are already on board. On November 26, the Danish part of the EU-funded project EVECSA (European Vocational Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture) was launched at a kickoff event. This Erasmus+ initiative will prepare Europe’s farmers to implement climate-smart solutions.

A step towards the future

The principal of Asmildkloster Agricultural College, Lars Møgelbjerg Andersen, said:

“The green tripartite agreement requires us as an agricultural college to contribute with the knowledge and skills the future farmers need. Through EVECSA, we can shape a generation of professionals who understand how to balance productivity with climate and environmental considerations. In this way, the EVECSA project will also contribute to the success of the green transition envisaged in the agreement.”

A major transition ahead

The agreement sets in motion Denmark’s largest land conversion in 100 years. The agreement is a strong signal that Denmark is taking responsibility for protecting the climate and the environment, while ensuring a sustainable future for the agricultural industry.

Historic agreement on green transition in Denmark

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