World’s ‘First’ Government Plan to Promote Plant-Based Foods Approved in Denmark

As part of Denmark’s efforts to address climate change, the Danish government is leading a food movement centered around “plant-based” diets. Recently, Denmark published the world’s first national “action plan” to promote a shift towards a food system that primarily relies on plant-based options as part of their climate initiative. The action plan provides an overview of government measures and initiatives that all actors within the plant-based value chain can utilize. The Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen, stated that a more plant-rich diet, following the Official Dietary Guidelines, helps reduce our climate footprint. The action plan builds on the 2021 Agreement on the Green Transformation of Danish Agriculture. It defines plant-based foods as including not just plants, but also edible fungi, algae, and beneficial microorganisms. The plan proposes steps such as funding and subsidy schemes for plant-based initiatives, supporting start-up firms in the sector, encouraging kitchens to serve climate-friendly meals, adding a climate label to foods deemed climate-friendly, boosting procurement of plant-based foods, revising diet guidelines to recommend plant-based diets, training chefs to prepare vegan meals, focusing on plant-based diets in schools and the education system, and utilizing embassies to increase exports of plant-based foods. The government aims to create new jobs and earning opportunities in the plant-based food sector, while also contributing to the environment, climate, and health. The plan aligns with the government’s climate agreement and sets aside funds for the initiative and bonuses for farmers who grow plant-based protein crops. However, it is important to note that while meat-free, vegan diets are promoted as environmentally friendly, they may not provide the necessary nutrients and can lead to deficiencies if proper consideration is not given to a balanced diet.



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