A majority of Danes are pleased that the green tripartite agreement provides more nature and a healthier water environment.
Økologisk NuThe green tripartite will lead to significant changes in Danish agriculture. It is also intended to ensure larger natural areas, protection of drinking water, and lower climate and environmental impact. All of these are highly desired by Danes as benefits of the tripartite agreement. A new survey has asked a representative sample of the Danish population about their opinions and expectations regarding the green tripartite agreement, and it clearly shows that many more people view the agreement positively than negatively. Overall, 39% expect the agreement to have a positive effect on their local environment within the next five years. Conversely, only 14% expect a negative effect. The rest believe they will not experience any effect or answered "don't know." Most people point to more wild nature, healthier inland waters, and better animal welfare as the main benefits of the agreement. A total of 72% believe it is a positive change if a larger part of Denmark is converted into forests and natural areas. A Fairer Agreement The green tripartite agreement was made between politicians, industry, and interest organizations in 2024 and aims to find long-term solutions to the climate and nature challenges facing the agricultural sector, as well as to provide recommendations on how Denmark can best manage its land, nature, and drinking water resources. However, the survey shows that citizens currently do not feel that their interests are equally represented compared to authorities or involved parties. This applies to both the general population and residents in rural areas. On the other hand, it is generally viewed positively that the agreement involves interest organizations — this is mostly seen as making the agreement fairer, not less. "On some levels, the tripartite is a kind of political innovation; we usually do not make large-scale nature, environment, and climate policy changes in this way, with such close involvement of stakeholders. But it seems that citizens are initially receptive to this approach. At the same time, there is a sober recognition that citizens have not had the same influence as these interest organizations," says Anders Blok, professor of environmental and climate sociology at the University of Copenhagen, in a press release. Many Want to Participate The survey also indicates interest in engaging with the green tripartite. About one in four Danes want to participate to some extent or very much in activities related to the green tripartite. At the same time, only six percent are aware of opportunities to influence the implementation of the tripartite locally. To secure support for the projects of the tripartite, it is important to involve citizens' perspectives, wishes, and concerns more in the process, believes Anders Blok. "We know from research that involving citizens in larger land-use changes and nature restoration has the potential to generate and secure local support, channel voluntary engagement into projects, and thereby prevent misunderstandings and conflicts that might otherwise arise during implementation." This is also an important point for Berith Bjørnholm, Vice President for Education & Engagement at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which funds Green Mandate. "Democratic support is absolutely essential for the implementation of the Green Tripartite. To ensure this support, it is necessary to create a solid knowledge base for the decisions to be made — both nationally and locally. To monitor whether this knowledge also reaches the population, the recurring measurements provided by Green Mandate are an important piece of the puzzle, and we follow the results with great interest," says Berith Bjørnholm. Green Mandate will closely follow the implementation of the agreement in the coming years and contribute to ensuring that citizens' perspectives are included in the conversation as the tripartite is put into practice.
The green tripartite will lead to major changes in Danish agriculture. It should also ensure larger natural areas, protection of drinking water, and lower climate and environmental impact. All of this is something that is highly valued by Danes as benefits of the tripartite agreement.
In a new survey, a representative sample of the Danish population has been asked about their opinions and expectations regarding the green tripartite agreement, and it clearly shows that far more people view the agreement positively than negatively.
Overall, 39 percent expect the agreement to have a positive effect on their local environment within the next five years. Conversely, only 14 percent expect a negative effect. The rest believe they will not experience any effect or have answered "don't know".
The most cited benefits of the agreement are more wild nature, healthier inland waters, and better animal welfare.
In total, 72 percent say it is a positive change if a larger part of Denmark is converted to forest and nature.
A more just agreement
The green tripartite agreement was concluded between politicians, industry, and interest organizations in 2024 and aims to find long-term solutions to the climate and nature challenges of the agricultural sector, as well as to provide recommendations on how Denmark best manages its land, nature, and drinking water resources.
However, the survey shows that, at present, citizens do not feel that their interests are equally represented alongside authorities or involved parties. This applies to both the general population and residents in rural areas.
On the other hand, it is generally viewed positively that the agreement involves interest organizations – this is mostly seen as making the agreement more just, not less.
"The tripartite agreement is, in some ways, a kind of political innovation; we don't usually make large nature, environment, and climate policy changes in this way with such close involvement of stakeholders. But something suggests that citizens are immediately receptive to this approach. At the same time, there is also a sober recognition that citizens have not had the same influence as these interest organizations," says Anders Blok, professor of environmental and climate sociology at the University of Copenhagen, in a press release.
Some want to participate
The survey also indicates interest in engaging in the green tripartite.
About one in four Danes wish to participate to some extent or to a very high degree in activities related to the green tripartite. At the same time, only six percent are aware of opportunities to influence the implementation of the tripartite locally.
If support for the tripartite projects is to be secured, it is important to involve citizens' perspectives, wishes, and concerns more in the green tripartite, believes Anders Blok.
"Research shows that involving citizens in larger-scale land conversions and nature restoration has the potential to create and secure local support, channel voluntary engagement and work in the projects, and thereby also prevent misunderstandings and conflicts that might otherwise arise during the implementation of the projects."
This is also an important point for Berith Bjørnholm, Vice President for Education & Engagement at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which funds Green Mandate.
"Democratic support is absolutely essential for the implementation of the Green Tripartite. To ensure this support, it is necessary to create a solid knowledge base for the decisions to be made – both nationally and locally. To monitor whether this knowledge also reaches the population, the recurring measurements provided by Green Mandate are an important piece of the puzzle, and we follow the results with great interest," says Berith Bjørnholm.
Green Mandate will closely monitor the implementation of the agreement in the coming years and contribute to ensuring that citizens' perspectives are included in the conversation when the tripartite is put into practice.