Experts at an influential think tank are calling on EU leaders to back the expansion of more lab-grown meat to enable Europe to help tackle climate change.

The Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, says new high-tech foodstuffs will be vital to the EU meeting its goals on climate change, human health and drug resistance.

Animal agriculture is a significant driver of carbon dioxide emissions, through deforestation when swathes of land are used instead to grow feed crops for livestock.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, livestock accounts for 14.5 per cent of global emissions.

Raising meat animals on farms is also a significant source of methane, which is about 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

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Extinction Rebellion demands that the UK government reduces to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and creates a citizens assembly to oversee changes in environmental policies. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, calling on the British government to take action on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to call for action on what they describe as a climate and ecological emergency. Extinction Rebellion demands that the UK government reduces to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and creates a citizens assembly to oversee changes in environmental policies. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172610 Pro environment protesters block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A demonstrator is led away by police on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Westminster Bridge in London for a protest called by Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness of the dangers posed by climate change. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 17, 2018. See PA story PROTEST Rebellion. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge, near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 17, 2018, to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues. - Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Westminster Bridge in London for a protest called by Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness of the dangers posed by climate change. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 17, 2018. See PA story PROTEST Rebellion. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07173093 A pro environment protester infornt of police on Lambeth bridge in London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172601 Pro environment protesters block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. 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Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172703 Pro environment protesters hold a placard as they block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators take part in a pro-environment protest as they block Westminster Bridge in central London on November 17, 2018, to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues. - Organized by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges epa07172629 Pro environment protester holds a placard as they block Westminster bridge in central London, Britain, 17 November 2018. Reports state that the protest organized by Extinction Rebellion group is planning to close five main bridges across the river Thames, seeking to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Environmental campaigners from the direct action group Rebellion demonstrate on Westminster Bridge in central London, Britain, November 17, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls PETER NICHOLLS Reuters

The report recommends that policymakers write new regulations on labelling and product naming, and invest in research and development of lab-grown meat.

It also says EU chiefs should prioritise development of the “meat analogues” industry – lab-grown meat and plant-based food that resembles meat.

Lab-grown meat – dubbed “clean” meat – is made without killing animals, but by taking a muscle sample from an animal, collecting stem cells and growing them into muscle tissue.

Backing a change to such a diet would “play a vital part in addressing the detrimental climate, animal welfare and public health impacts of unsustainable meat consumption”, according to experts.

Demand for plant-based “meat” is already growing, with a global market for such products worth 4.08 billion euros last year.

Investment in the technologies so far has been driven by start-ups.

Laura Wellesley, of Chatham House, said: “The EU has been a hotbed of innovation in plant-based ‘meat’ and cultured meat. If it wants to reap the rewards of that innovation, policymakers need to respond now to the challenges and opportunities that this new industry presents.

“Innovation in plant-based meat and cultured meat could help the EU to deliver on some of its most ambitious policy priorities.”

Legal challenges to such meat substitutes are expected based on the 2017 European Court of Justice ruling that plant-based foods cannot be sold using terms such as milk, butter or cheese.

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Eleonora Evi MEP said: “Our food system is contributing to an environmental and climate catastrophe and excessive meat consumption is the key factor. It is our responsibility, as decision-makers, to reverse this trend.