It is almost four years since the Climate Council first proposed that an air tax be introduced in Denmark. And the council tirelessly continues to do that.
Because even if the Social Democratic government in September proposes to add a passenger tax of DKK 13 on domestic flights, it is not sufficient, says the climate council's chairman, Peter Møllgaard.
- DKK 13 is a very modest tax compared to our neighboring countries, and domestic flights are only a very small part of Danish aviation's total fuel consumption, he says.
- The DKK 13 can finance greener fuel for domestic aviation, but the Climate Council would actually like the polluter-pays principle to apply to all aviation, which requires a much higher tax.
Should be up to par with neighboring countries
On Wednesday, the Climate Council, an impartial expert body, came up with an assessment note in which the council comments on the global strategy in the government's climate program for this year.
In the assessment note, the Climate Council points out that an air tax in Denmark should be at the same level as in the neighboring countries Sweden, Norway, Germany and Great Britain. Our neighboring countries' taxes are between approximately DKK 150 and 720 per passenger for trips outside the EU.
Although the Climate Council has repeatedly pointed out the need for an air tax, it is, for the time being, just a proposal from the now former government.
- We keep saying it because the analysis shows that it is true. And then we have experience that some things with climate policy have to be repeated many times in order for it to be translated into policy, says Peter Møllgaard.
In the commentary to the government's global strategy, the Climate Council also points out that there is a need to impose taxes on climate-harming consumer goods. Also the goods that Denmark gets from abroad.
- The main message is that a lot has been done to limit emissions from Danish soil, but we put a lot of strain on the climate with goods from abroad. So we have to work with our global consumption footprint, says Peter Møllgaard.
We have taxes on several things
The Climate Council has previously recommended limiting Danes' consumption of meat and milk with taxes. This applies again in the assessment note. At the same time, the council also believes that there should be taxes on products that risk causing deforestation or forest degradation.
This is, for example, soy for animal feed, palm oil, leather, rubber, coffee, cocoa and wood. Denmark's imports of soy and palm oil for feed and food alone can cause global emissions of 2.4-7 million tonnes of CO2 annually, writes the Climate Council.
In the Climate Act, the Danish Parliament has undertaken to listen to the Climate Council's recommendations when they create climate action plans in the future.
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