Today’s news / Climate Council Advises Meat Tax at Checkout
A tax on agricultural production will raise the price of Danish beef by up to 4.50 kroner for half a kilo. This is not enough, according to the Climate Council, which therefore also wants a tax directly on consumers. (Archive photo). Photo: Liv Latricia Habel/Ritzau Scanpix

Climate Council Advises Meat Tax at Checkout

Denmark’s independent Climate Council recommends the introduction of a direct tax on meat for consumers. This tax would complement the CO2 tax on agricultural production proposed by an expert committee, aiming to address global impacts beyond national goals. The proposal is that imported meat, as well as domestic, would become more expensive, potentially influencing consumer choices to favor more climate-friendly products. However, Danish Chamber of Commerce, a commerce organization, expresses skepticism, noting the complexity and potential high cost of implementation for consumer-targeted taxes, suggesting that a climate label for foods could be a better solution. Their concern is backed by the expert committee’s findings, which suggest minimal consumer tax impact on Danish CO2 emissions. The Climate Council, led by Chairman Peter Møllgaard, believes a significant price increase is necessary to reduce meat consumption, hinting at a rise of over five kroner.