Denmark agrees corporate carbon tax - government

Reuters

Published Jun 24, 2022 06:28AM ET

Updated Jun 24, 2022 06:56AM ET

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish lawmakers on Friday agreed a new corporate carbon tax, the highest in Europe, which will target companies both in and outside the EU's carbon quota system, the government said.

A high carbon tax is seen as crucial to help reach Denmark's ambitious 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels.

"(It is) the biggest single contribution so far to cut emissions by 2030," said tax minister Jeppe Bruus in a statement.

The total CO2 levy will be 1,125 Danish crowns ($159) per tonne by 2030 for companies subject to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and will consist of a 375 crowns fee on top of the projected 2030 price of EU carbon permits of 750 crowns.

Companies within so-called mineralogical processes, such as cement maker Aalborg Portland, Denmark's largest CO2 emitter, will pay a reduced price of 125 crowns per tonne on top of the ETS to prevent an exodus of production, the government said.