Danish fisherman fears new CO₂ tax will threaten his livelihood

A fisherman from western Jutland says he lies awake at night worrying about the government’s planned CO₂ tax, which he warns could force him out of business, reports Danish broadcaster DR.

“I can’t sleep at night,” the fisherman told DR, explaining that the proposed tax on fuel emissions would add tens of thousands of kroner to his annual costs. “If this goes through, I don’t know how I’ll survive.”

The tax, part of Denmark’s climate policy, aims to reduce emissions by charging industries for their CO₂ output. But critics in the fishing sector argue it will disproportionately hit small operators already struggling with rising fuel prices.

Industry representatives have called for exemptions or financial support to offset the new costs, warning that without adjustments, the policy could push some fishermen to abandon the trade entirely.