Agriculture is one of the main drivers of deforestation and contributes to both climate change and biodiversity loss. A more plant-based diet – in accordance with the Eat Lancet Planetary Health Diet – contributes to lowering our climate footprint, protect biodiversity and reduce food insecurity. Even so, the necessity to transform the agricultural sector has long created a very polarised debate with strong disagreements on each side of the table. 

In Denmark, we have the largest animal production per capita in the world. Yet, the agriculture sector, the business sector and civil society organizations have succeeded in finding common ground and engaging in respectful dialogue and collaboration

A strict focus on “more plants” instead of ”less meat” has been key to the relatively nonpolarized debate and discussions that has led up to the Danish plant-based initiatives. This is part of the recipe for a successful and non-polarized move towards political prioritization of the plant-based sector.  

The Danish Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods serves as a catalogue of implemented and recommended initiatives, all of which are considered to promote plant-based foods. The initiatives involve the entire food system, including professional kitchens, the educational system, processing, farming and research and innovation. It stresses that “plant-based foods are the future” and that Denmark wants to contribute to the “necessary global transition” towards more plant-based production and furthermore wants to “inspire the rest of the world”. 

The Plant-Based Food Grant serves as a funding mechanism for projects which enable and strengthen the demand, supply and value-chain for plant-based foods. The total funding allocated to the Plant-Based Food Grant is approx. 170 million Euros until 2030, but it has been increased several times in the past, and the Government has formally committed to add more funding after 2030. This funding is vital for the change we need to see in the Danish food system​,​ as it is ensuring both development of crops and products and a market to promote these, through training professionals, and stimulating consumers’ rising acceptance and consumption of plant-based foods.  

The Plant-Based Food Grant has been supporting the development of plant-based products, markets and consumption since 2023. The Plant-Based Food Grant has for example funded the following:  

• A new Green Culinary Artisan education, preparing chefs for the green transition. 

• A Bean Burrito Campaign launched by consumer organizations and supermarkets. 

• Educating future farmers in the production of protein crops for human consumption. 

• Innovating healthy products through fermentation and other mild forms of processing 

The Danish plant-based initiatives have fostered a greater political focus on the plant-based agenda. To support the Danish plant-based initiatives​,​ Danish Plant-Based Diplomacy was formed. This coalition works to initiate and support dialogues between stakeholders from Denmark and stakeholders from across the world to find inspiration in the Danish plant-based initiatives. The Danish Plant-​ ​Based Diplomacy has among other things obtained:  

• Endorsement from the Danish Government and the Danish EU Presidency for a Plant Food Summit in Copenhagen in October 2025 

• Showcasing the Danish plant-based initiatives as well as the collaborative approach across Europe and with stakeholders from Canada, Brazil and Israel. 

• Constructive media coverage in global news media.