A new tax on farmers is to be introduced in Denmark to tackle carbon emissions.

Danish farmers will have to pay a levy of 300 kroner (£34) per tonne of methane emissions from livestock from 2030.

Known as the Green Tripartite agreement, the new policy is part of Denmark’s push to be net zero by 2050.

This measure was confirmed by Danish Government last week, with discussions had between all Danish political parties and farmers and environmental groups over how the world’s first tax on agricultural emissions should look like.

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From 2035, Danish farmers will have to pay an increased levy of 750 kroner, or £84.

They will automatically get a rebate of 60%, with these increasing if more environmental measures are undertaken.

This is in part due to Danish agricultural organisations being a part of discussions in effort to keep it fair for those in the food industry.

The Green Tripartite will cover three major areas such as the CO2 tax on agriculture, nitrogen reduction targets, and land transformation.

In terms of the nitrogen targets, the agreement includes specific targets for reducing nitrogen emissions from agriculture, aiming to improve water quality in rivers and lakes, in aid to meet EU environmental standards.

Under land transformation, it is expected over the next 20 years a portion of poorer agricultural land will be converted to natural habitats and forests to help to enhance biodiversity and create a healthier ecosystem.

Under the agreement, 15% of Danish agricultural areas (390,000ha) will be converted to forests and natural areas by 2045.

After receiving a majority vote in parliament, Jeppe Bruus, minister for the Green Tripartite, said “The government would do what it takes to reach our climate goals.”

Mr Bruss said there was a “Huge, huge task that is now underway,” involving the transformation of agricultural land to forestry and natural spaces.

He continued: “Danish nature will change in a way we have not seen since the wetlands were drained in 1864.”