What is the impact of Denmark's proposed livestock carbon tax? Plate "AB side" together
According to media reports, the Danish government recently reached an agreement with participating organizations on an agricultural carbon dioxide tax. The key points of the agreement are that during the transition period starting in 2030, Danish farmers will pay a tax of DKr 120 for every ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted; starting in 2035, they will pay a tax of DKr 300 for every ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted. So far, the world's first carbon emission tax on aquaculture has been officially passed and is expected to be approved by the Danish Parliament later this year. What will be the impact after the agreement is adopted? Work with reporters on "AB".
Demonstrate Denmark's determination and leadership in addressing climate change
It is understood that ruminants such as cattle and sheep will produce methane due to their unique digestive system and the metabolic activities of microorganisms in the rumen, which is discharged from the mouth to the body through the hiccup process. According to previous reports by the BBC, ruminants produce about 250 to 500 liters of methane every day, accounting for more than 1/3 of total agricultural emissions. Methane emissions into the atmosphere every year promote the greenhouse effect equivalent to 3.1 billion tons of CO2。
Denmark is an important global exporter of dairy products and pork. Dairy cows are the main product of Danish animal husbandry, and agriculture is also Denmark's largest source of carbon emissions. According to estimates by the Konsitto Institute, a Danish environmental industry think tank, each cow emits about 5.6 tons of carbon dioxide every year, which means that farmers have to pay a minimum of 672 Danish kroner (about 700 yuan) per cow every year.
The Danish government hopes to achieve climate change mitigation goals by levying a tax on livestock carbon emissions. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Luck Rasmussen recently issued a statement saying: "We will be the first country in the world to introduce a (carbon) tax on agriculture. Other emission reduction measures include investing 40 billion kroner (41.7 billion yuan) in afforestation and establishing wetlands."
"This move demonstrates Denmark's determination and leadership in addressing climate change." Yuan Shuai, executive vice president of the Agricultural, Cultural and Tourism Industry Revitalization Research Institute of the China Urban Development Research Institute, told reporters.
Zhi Peiyuan, president of Zhongqin Agriculture Co., Ltd. and master's business supervisor at the School of Management of China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), analyzed to reporters that the Danish government's decision to impose a carbon tax on livestock marks an important step for the country in the global agricultural field. It aims to regulate agricultural production activities through market mechanisms to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. This move will encourage the breeding industry to optimize production methods, improve energy efficiency, and may promote innovation in related technologies and management models.
Data provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations shows that in 2015, animal husbandry carbon emissions accounted for approximately 12% of global carbon emissions, part of which came from methane, which was produced by livestock burping and feces. Although the specific conditions of different countries and regions vary, Denmark's experience can provide useful reference and reference for other countries.
Farmers 'economic affordability and the competitiveness of livestock products need to be considered
Zhi Peiyuan said that the global promotion value of agricultural carbon taxes depends on whether they can be effectively replicated and adapted in the agricultural production systems of different countries and regions. The premise of copying is whether it can bear the corresponding cost.
"As far as Denmark is concerned, after the implementation of the livestock carbon emission tax, each cow will need to pay a considerable amount of carbon emission tax every year, which will directly increase breeding costs, which in turn lead to an increase in the cost of livestock products such as dairy products, which may affect its international competitiveness. Especially in price-sensitive markets." Liu Baoping, president of Guangzhou Huazhaoren Brand Design Institute, analyzed the reporter.
Obviously, while promoting carbon emission reduction, the increase in animal husbandry production costs that will be brought about by the implementation of agricultural carbon taxes cannot be ignored. According to public reports, the Danish dairy industry generally welcomed the government's move to impose a carbon tax, but some farmers were angered. One farmers 'group called it a "horrific experiment" and "purely bureaucratic."
Zhi Peiyuan told reporters that when implementing agricultural carbon tax, Denmark's animal husbandry and downstream industrial chains, especially the dairy industry, will face the challenge of cost structure adjustment. In order to cope with this change, farmers may need to take measures such as improving production efficiency, improving feed quality, and optimizing breeding management to reduce carbon emissions per unit of product.
"In this process, we must pay attention to farmers 'economic affordability and avoid placing excessive burdens on them. At the same time, attention must be paid to accurately measure livestock carbon emissions and ensure fairness and transparency of taxation." Yuan Shuai said.
"In addition, governments and industry organizations can provide technical guidance and financial support to help farmers adapt to the new policy environment. The specific implementation effect of the policy needs to comprehensively consider its impact on agricultural economic benefits, farmers 'income and domestic and foreign market competition patterns." Zhi Peiyuan added.
Many countries actively explore agricultural carbon emission reduction paths
In fact, before Denmark implemented carbon emission reduction in animal husbandry in the form of taxation, countries had made explorations in reducing methane emissions from cattle and sheep. In 2022, the new Zealand government promulgated a draft law, which plans to specifically price and charge the gas emitted by burps and farting from cattle and sheep starting from 2025. However, the draft was also opposed by local farmers.
Researchers have proposed many alternative methods, such as changing their eating habits.
Zhi Peiyuan and Yuan Shuai both mentioned to reporters that for Denmark, which is about to usher in an agricultural carbon tax, it can consider adopting methods including but not limited to improving feed formulas, optimizing breeding management, and promoting biogas power generation to reduce livestock hiccups and other agricultural production. Methane released during production.
For example, by adding inhibitors to feed to reduce methane production in the intestines of livestock; promoting anaerobic digestion technology to convert livestock and poultry manure into bio-natural gas, which can be used as clean energy and reduce methane emissions; implementing remote sensing monitoring and precision agricultural technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to more accurately manage farmland and livestock operations and optimize resource use efficiency.
It is understood that some countries and regions around the world have actively explored agricultural carbon emission reduction. Some British scientists are committed to studying and improving sheep genes, hoping to cultivate new breeds of sheep with fewer hiccups and less farting. The above-mentioned new Zealand also reduces methane emissions by selectively raising low-emission cattle and sheep breeds.
Studies have found that cows with low methane emissions may be smaller due to differences in intestinal bacteria, but their milk production and composition will not be affected. This selective breeding method is considered to be a long-term effective emission reduction strategy. At the same time, new Zealand attaches great importance to the protection, improvement and rational use of natural pastures, strictly limits livestock carrying capacity, and avoids increased carbon emissions caused by overgrazing.
"In addition, the Netherlands is famous for its advanced precision agriculture technology, which has reduced carbon emissions in agricultural production through measures such as precision fertilization and irrigation. Some developing countries are also actively exploring low-carbon agricultural development models suitable for their own national conditions, such as my country's ecological agriculture and India's organic agriculture." Yuan Shuai said.
