Sweden tests new fee on high-emission foods to fund carbon removal
Researchers propose charging consumers based on the climate footprint of their food, with revenues directed toward financing carbon dioxide removal technology. The model could generate enough money to offset Sweden's entire food sector emissions—offering policymakers a blueprint for funding the expensive negative-emissions technology the world needs to meet Paris climate targets.
Originaltitel: A liability for the climate impact of foods for financing negative emissions
Meeting the Paris Agreement's temperature objective requires the removal of significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere, highlighting the urgent need for financing negative emission technologies. Given the difficulties in mitigating agricultural emissions, this paper proposes a “food climate liability fee.” The fee is based on the climate impact of food combined with an estimated cost-level of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and the generated income is earmarked for funding CO 2 removals. We explore the effects of implementing this fee using Sweden as an example, analyzing scenarios ranging from including all food-related emissions to a fee specifically on the harder-to-mitigate methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) from high-impact animal-based foods. Targeting all emissions could generate sufficient financing for removals to balance emissions from Swedish food consumption. A more focused fee on high-impact foods could cover 85% of CH 4 and N 2 O food-related emissions, of relevance if CO 2 emissions are addressed through other means.