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Vegetarian Society et al. of Denmark v Danish Crown - summons

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At the end of May 2021, three Danish NGOs filed a suit against Danish Crown, the EU’s largest pork producer, claiming that the company is misleading consumers through its campaign that claims its pork production is “climate controlled” and that the pork is “more climate friendly than you would think.” Danish Crown is a cooperative owned by over 6,000 Danish farmers. It has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030. 

According to media reports, the claimants allege that Danish Crown is misrepresenting its climate footprint, and is in violation of the Marketing Act, which the Danish Crown refutes. It states that because the pigs have “grown up on farms with a clear strategy for reducing CO2 emissions,” Danish Crown is not misleading consumers. In its 2020-2021 Annual Report published in November 2021, Danish Crown mentions the lawsuit and that it is cooperating with authorities. 

In January 2022, the court proceedings began in the Western High Court. The court has found that the case is “of a principle nature and has a general signification for the application of and development of the law.”  The Danish Crown had argued to have the case heard in the Maritime and Commercial Court, which the court has denied. The case will proceed in the High Court.  

On March 1, 2024, the High Court ruled that the use of the term 'climate-friendly' is not in violation of the Market Practices Act, but 'climate-controlled pork' was. 

Vegetarian Society et al. of Denmark v Danish Crown

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

A long-lived, colourless gas, chiefly emitted from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and cement production.

Slow onset events evolve gradually from incremental changes over many years or from increased frequency or intensity of recurring events. As defined in the Cancun Adaptation Framework (2010), slow onset events include risks and impacts from rising temperatures, desertification, biodiversity loss, land and forest degradation, glacial retreat, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and salinization.

This sector creates and distributes information and entertainment through television, radio, print, and digital platforms.

Activities that involve the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock for food, fibre, and other products essential for human life and industry.

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.