Denmark aims to ‘green up’ imports of soya and palm oil

Government unveils action plan that aims to see its imports of soya and palm oil become deforestation-free by 2025

To feed its huge population of farm stock, Denmark imports significant amounts of soya and therefore contributes to deforestation in countries where it is produced. 

The same goes for palm oil for food and cosmetic products, and that’s not conducive to Denmark promoting itself as a global sustainability leader.

So the government has announced that by 2025 it is aiming for all Danish imports of soya and palm oil to be deforestation-free.

“It’s essential we make changes to stop deforestation, which harms the climate and destroys natural areas,” said the food minister, Rasmus Prehn. 

“Our vision is that Denmark will only import deforestation-free soya and palm oil within a few years – a strong first step in the government’s ambition to make the agriculture and food sectors greener.”

READ ALSO: Huge decrease in household CO2 emissions during COVID-19 pandemic

A huge emitter 
The government also intends to pressure the EU into ushering in preventative measures to combat deforestation and actively take part in international initiatives.

Denmark imports around 1.8 million tonnes of soya for livestock feed every year – most from South America, where production is often associated with deforestation. 

Calculations from the University of Copenhagen (KU) estimate that Danish imports of soya and palm oil contribute emissions of over 7 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

KU believes this figure could be significantly reduced if the production was deforestation-free.

Read the government’s entire action plan on the subject here (in Danish).




  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Taylor Swift and Martin Brygmann lead Google’s 2024 searches in Denmark

    Taylor Swift and Martin Brygmann lead Google’s 2024 searches in Denmark

    Google published the list of the top searched topics in Denmark during 2024. Taylor Swift is still on top, but domestic and foreign politics drew a lot of attention

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.