Denmark is considering proposals to introduce a tax on red meat, after a government think tank came to the conclusion that “climate change is an ethical problem”.

The Danish Council of Ethics recommended an initial tax on beef, with a view to extending the regulation to all red meats in future. It said that in the long term, the tax should apply to all foods at varying levels depending on climate impact.

The council voted in favour of the measures by an overwhelming majority, and the proposal will now be put forward for consideration by the government.

In a press release, the ethics council said Denmark was under direct threat from climate change, and it was not enough to rely on the “ethical consumer” to ensure the country meets its UN commitments.

“The Danish way of life is far from climate-sustainable, and if we are to live up to the Paris Agreement target of keeping the global temperature rise 'well' below 2°C, it is necessary both to act quickly and involve food,” the council said.

Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Show all 12 1 /12 Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Edward Burtynsky

Manufacturing #17, Deda Chicken Processing Plant, Dehui City, Jilin Province, China, 2005

Chromogenic Colour Print

© Edward Burtynsky. Courtesy of Flowers, London Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Lucy + Jorge Orta

Antarctica Village - No Borders, Dome Dwelling, 2007

Coated polyamide, various textiles, nation flags, silkscreen print, second hand clothes, webbing, clips

150 x 180 x 180 cm

Courtesy Galleria Continua San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Gary Hume

The Industrialist, 2008

Marble

122 x 82 x 8 cm

© The artist, Photo: Stephen White, Courtesy Jay Jopling/ White Cube (London) Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Keith Tyson

Nature Painting

2008

Mixed media on aluminium

198 x 198 x 2.1cm Courtesy of the artist Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Yao Lu

Spring in the City

2009

C-Print

120 x 120 cm

Courtesy of the artist and Red Mansion Foundation Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Cornelia Parker

Heart of Darkness

2004

Charcoal from a Florida Wildfire (prescribed forest burn that got out of control)

323 x 396 x 323cm

Courtesy of the artist and Frith Street Gallery, London Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Darren Almond

Tide

2008

600 digital wall clocks, Perspex electro-mechanics, steel, vinyl, computerized electronic control system and components Courtesy of the artist and White Cube, London Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Antony Gormley's 'Amazonian Field'... Wonderful world, beautiful people. But can one look after the other? Courtesy of the artist and White Cube, London Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Adriane Colburn

Up From Under the Edge of the Earth

2009

Paper, aluminum, ink jet prints, video, mylar, mirrors

350 x 350cm Courtesy of the artist Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Mariele Neudecker

400 Thousand Generations, 2009

Steel, fiberglass, water, salt GAC100

153 x 113 x 55 cm

Courtesy the artist and Galerie Barbara Thumm, © the artist, Photo courtesy the artist Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Antti Laitinen

It's My Island I

Diasec mounted c-type print

115 x 115 cm

Image courtesy of NETTIE HORN , Photo: Antti Laitinen Inconvenient art: contemporary artists weigh in on climate change Mona Hatoum

Hot Spot, 2006

Mixed media. Stainless steel and neon tube

234 x 223 cm

David Roberts Collection, London

Cattle alone account for some 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the production of food as a whole makes up between 19 and 29 per cent, the council said.

Danes were “ethically obliged” to change their eating habits, it said, adding that it is “unproblematic” to cut out beef and still enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet.

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“For a response to climate-damaging food to be effective, while also contributing to raise awareness of the challenge of climate change, it must be shared,” said council spokesman Mickey Gjerris.

“This requires society to send a clear signal through regulation.”

It has been a tough few months for fans of red meat, with consumption down after the World Health Organisation warned of an associated cancer risk.