Here are the main points of the Green Tripartite Agreement

The government, together with the Socialist People’s Party, the Liberal Alliance, the Conservative People’s Party, and the Social Liberal Party, has reached a political agreement on the Green Tripartite Agreement, which, according to the parties involved, will create more natural areas and secure a healthy water environment.

The agreement was presented at a press conference on Monday.

More Forest and Nature

The agreement allocates 43 billion kroner for forests, nature, and marine life in the fjords. Denmark will receive an additional 250,000 hectares of forest, equivalent to the combined area of Lolland, Falster, and Bornholm. Furthermore, 140,000 hectares of climate-damaging lowland agricultural areas will be converted to nature.

Some of the land currently used for agricultural production will, in the future, be repurposed. This includes heathlands, meadows, river valleys, and marshlands.

In addition to the land conversion, the agreement, according to the parties, aims to improve the water environment in the country’s fjords and coastal waters, reduce climate impact, and strengthen biodiversity and drinking water protection.

Introducing a CO₂ Tax

Denmark will become the first country in the world to implement a CO₂ equivalent tax on emissions from livestock. Overall, the parties estimate that the initiatives in the agreement have the potential to reduce emissions by between 1.8 million and 2.6 million tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.

Comprehensive Nitrogen Initiative

Oxygen depletion in Danish water bodies is at an alarmingly high level, and the agreement initiates a nitrogen reduction effort, with land conversion as the main driver. The agreement sets an ambitious target based on Scenario 1 from the Second Opinion report, with the exception of Bornholm. The process will involve coordinating efforts with neighboring countries.

The government and the parties to the agreement have agreed to allocate a total of 43 billion kroner to Denmark’s Green Land Fund.

A Competitive Agriculture and Food Industry

Denmark will continue to have a strong and competitive agriculture sector that produces good and healthy food. Therefore, it is essential that more efficient production can be achieved on the remaining robust agricultural areas as conversions progress. The transformation of the Danish agriculture and food industry must be carried out in a way that supports increasingly sustainable, high-tech, and land-efficient agricultural production, ensuring that Denmark maintains a competitive industry with attractive business potential and jobs.

Among other things, a cross-sectoral growth plan will be developed to support Denmark’s continued strong, competitive, and innovation-oriented agriculture and food industry. Approximately 10 billion kroner will be invested in pyrolysis, and efforts to develop and implement climate initiatives and technology will be strengthened.

Local Tripartite Partnerships

To achieve the land conversion goals, a new strong, local organization will be established with local green tripartite councils and coastal water councils. These local tripartite councils will play an enhanced role, with local agricultural and nature organizations, alongside municipalities, responsible for planning and implementing land conversions.

New National Nature Parks and Marine Nature Parks

Six new national nature parks will be established and opened by the end of 2030, bringing the total to 21 national nature parks in Denmark. Additionally, the parties agree to further develop the wild nature at Kalvebod Fælled, aiming for it to become an urban-adjacent national nature park. Furthermore, 80 million kroner will be allocated to restore marine habitats in the marine nature parks in the Little Belt and the Øresund.

Plant-Based Foods and Organic Farming

A shift towards more plant production is a central element of the green transition. Therefore, the funding for the Plant-Based Foods Fund will be increased to a total of 1 billion kroner, along with additional support for organic farming.

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