Today’s big topic: Denmark criticized for not joining coalition that aims to tax private jets
Young activists demonstrated Thursday at the COP30 climate summit in Belém. They demanded a tax on private jet flights and the most expensive airline tickets. The money should go to green transition.
What’s happening?
Danish climate activists, who are participating in the climate summit in Brazil, are disappointed. Denmark is not among the coalition of countries that want to impose a tax on the super-rich’s private jets.
Private jets pollute the atmosphere 14 times more than if the passengers were to board a commercial flight instead. Nevertheless, the super-rich’s private flights completely avoid the climate tax that ordinary passengers have to pay. The idea behind the proposal is to raise funds to help poor countries deal with the consequences of climate catastrophes.
»It’s absolutely crazy that we don’t seize the opportunity to tax some of those who emit the most«, says activist Nicole Pemberton from the Green Youth Movement.
Why it matters!
Nine countries, Benin, Djibouti, France, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, and Spain, are part of the coalition for private jet tax. It’s called the Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition and was formed in June.
Last year, Denmark joined a group of countries that have been working to find ways to tax the wealthiest and thereby generate funds to help the poorest through climate changes. It released a new report on Saturday with ten proposals for areas that can contribute to solidarity payments to the world’s poor and climate-vulnerable. The very first proposal is a tax on private jets and business class tickets.
Still curious? Read the full article here.
In other news
– Concerned employee warned mayoral candidate about neglect at nursing home
In May, a social educator and substitute in elder care warned about possible neglect at the nursing home Huset William in an email sent directly to the health and care mayor Sisse Marie Welling (SF). This is revealed in a correspondence that Politiken possesses. The email with the warning is noteworthy because it remains unclear how aware Sisse Marie Welling was and how she acted regarding potential neglect at nursing homes in Copenhagen.
Politiken wished to ask Welling whether she read the email and what actions she took subsequently. Instead, the managing director of Sundheds- og Omsorgsforvaltningen (the Health and Care Administration, ed.), Per Bennetsen, responded. He wrote in an email to Politiken that the warning was handled by the administration »in agreement with the mayor and entirely in line with normal practice«.
– Now it’s official, Lars Rebien Sørensen is the new Novo chairman
As expected, former CEO of Novo Nordisk Lars Rebien Sørensen was elected chairman of the company at an extraordinary general meeting held on Friday. According to the news agency Ritzau, the candidates for the board received 93 percent of the votes.
At the extraordinary general meeting Lars Rebien Sørensen said: »I have two important tasks together with the Board: First, to support the CEO and the management in its transformation plans to regain its competitive leadership, and second, prepare the way for my successor«.
– Aalborg Airport reopened after suspected drone activity
On Sunday evening, the airspace over Aalborg Airport was briefly closed due to suspected drone activity. After a little over an hour, the airspace was reopened. Late Sunday evening, North Jutland Police wrote on X that the police were aware that one or more drones might have been seen around Aalborg Airport. It has yet to be confirmed whether drones were indeed involved.
Talk of town: Understand the overlooked regional election and get ready to vote
It is the day before the day. Tomorrow, there are municipal and regional elections across the country. Often, the regional election is overlooked, and therefore, Politiken’s health editor has created a guide to help you get ready to vote.
On Tuesday, November 18, we can choose among a total of 1,148 candidates for 134 seats in the four future regional councils. The regions employ 153,000 staff, maybe even you.
The regions are responsible for public healthcare. They manage our hospitals and psychiatric care, and ensure that Danes by law have »easy and equal access« to medical help, just as they ensure that everyone has a general practitioner. Regions also make agreements with private specialists, psychologists, and physiotherapists, so we can receive free healthcare or financial support for the services.
Read the full guide here.
This newsletter features stories originally published in Danish. AI was used to shorten and translate the articles into English, after which a member of the editorial staff reviewed and refined the content.