Food and agriculture

The challenge

Decarbonising food production – which leaves behind a substantial climate impact globally – is difficult, as food is produced under biological and natural conditions. Climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources and the need to feed a global population of 10 billion people by 2050 are some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.

New, innovative solutions are needed so that we can produce and consume food in a sustainable way. The climate impact of the Danish...

New, innovative solutions are needed so that we can produce and consume food in a sustainable way. The climate impact of the Danish agriculture & food sector, including land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), amounted to 15.4 million tonnes CO2 in 2017. The climate impact of the sector has decreased by 25 per cent between 1990 – 2017.

The potential

If the Danish Government and Parliament follow the 22 climate actions recommended by the climate partnership for Food and agriculture, the sector could reduce its climate impact by 62 per cent by 2030 (approximately 12.6 million tonnes CO2e).

At the same time, the partnership’s analyses show that Denmark, through further research in the food field, is likely to reduce its climate impact by a further 10 percentage points, corresponding to an overall gain of 72 per cent.

Overall...

Overall, by following the proposals, Denmark can realise substantial gains in terms of achieving the sector’s own goal of a climate-neutral industry by 2050.

We endeavour to secure an industry that continues to have a large and competitive food, agriculture, aquaculture and forestry sector that delivers great value to Denmark in terms of employment, income, welfare and export earnings. Simultaneously, the industry contributes to the global climate transition.

Recommendations

Set aside of approx. 100,000 hectares of alluvial land

A significant part of the sector’s emissions arise from carbon-rich alluvial land. Setting aside some of this (and compensating landowners) can reap considerable climate benefits

Reduction of nitrous oxide emissions

Using nitrification inhibitors in manure and chemical fertilisers can significantly reduce emissions

Frequent removal of slurry and disposal of manure

Evidence indicates that methane emissions can be reduced if the slurry from the pigsties is removed once a week rather than every five or six weeks, which is common practice today

Climate optimisation of fodder

If the fodder composition for ruminants become more climate efficient, they will emit less methane

Climate check and action plan for individual farms

Climate balance sheets give farmers insight into the scale of the climate impact of their farm and where it occurs

Biogas from degassing and advanced biofuels

Manure and residues from the food industry, agriculture and households offer a large, untapped biogas potential. Sustainable and advanced biofuels can help decarbonise heavy transport.

Renewable energy production

Utilise the large quantities of biomass the sector produces (such as straw, manure, residuals and by-products) for climate-friendly energy production. Erect wind turbines and solar panels on agricultural land

Increased afforestation and forest production

In its national forest programme, Denmark has established a target of increasing the
forest area, so that forest landscapes cover 20-25 per cent of the country by the end of
the 21st century

Green conversion of processing operations, including electrification and energy efficiency

Provide funds and incentives to decarbonise processing operations and incentives to switch to green energy consumption where possible

Replacement of fossil resources or energy-intensive materials in construction

Design and implement a strategy to increase the use of climate-friendly timber construction, including a revision of fire regulations and the building code

Research

Establish a number of large, multi annual and challenge-driven research partnerships (basic research, strategic research, development and demonstration) which ensure interdisciplinarity and regulatory involvement

The Climate Partnership for Food and Agriculture

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