The Danish government is currently in negotiations to postpone the CO2 tax on fisheries for several years as part of a new fisheries agreement. The Socialist People’s Party (SF) is among the negotiating parties, seeking to exchange the postponement for other climate and nature-related measures.

Several parties are involved in these discussions, each with differing perspectives on the tax and its implications. The Conservative Party acknowledges the necessity of the tax as a conversion tool, while the Denmark Democrats oppose its implementation altogether.

SF emphasizes that contributing to a postponement of the CO2 tax hinges on securing substantial concessions with equivalent or greater climate and nature benefits. Carl Valentin, SF’s climate and environmental spokesperson, suggests expanding the trawling ban to offset the lost CO2 reductions, which would reduce emissions through decreased sailing.

The CO2 tax on fisheries initially took effect on January 1, 2025, but the government proposed its postponement in February. A draft of the agreement indicates that the tax would be introduced in 2029, starting at half level in the first year.

Frederik Block Münster, climate spokesperson for the Conservative Party, stated that the tax should serve as a conversion tool rather than a deterrent. The concern is that many fishermen are not yet equipped to convert to green fuels, potentially leading to the decommissioning of fishing vessels.

The Social Liberals also express concerns about the proposed financing of the agreement. Political leader Martin Lidegaard argues against using funds from the Green Fund to compensate fishermen for the CO2 tax, as the party believes the money should be used to support the fisheries’ conversion to green practices.

Kristian Bøgsted of the Denmark Democrats reports his party has not received the latest draft of the agreement and feels excluded from the negotiations.