Denmark mulls beef tax to tackle climate change

Beef production accounts for a tenth of global emissions and significantly accelerates global warming. This is what the respected think-tank the Danish Council of Ethics said after it recommended a red meat tax hike to tackle the “ethical problem​” of climate change.

The council considered whether it should be the ethical choice of the consumer to buy “climate-damaging​” foods like beef, or if the government should impose regulation on red meat to reduce the environmental impact.

A large majority of the council members said they believe Danes are “ethically obliged​” to change their eating habits for the good of the planet. However, many fear this will not be effective enough and suggest regulation on beef is necessary.

Sending a message​

“For a response to climate-damaging foods to be effective, while contributing to raising awareness of the climate challenge, it must be shared,​” said Mickey Gjerris, chairman of the council. “This requires society through regulation, to send a clear signal.​”

This, the Danish Council of Ethics, said was “necessary​” to ensure Denmark kept its commitment to the historic Paris climate deal by keeping global temperature rises below two degrees.

Tax to extend beyond beef​

In the long term the think tank suggests a tax should extend not just to beef, but all climate-damaging food items but said short-term a tax on beef makes the most sense.

This was because arguments suggest it is healthy to maintain a nutritious and healthy diet without red meat.

The Danish minister of taxation was not available to provide comment on the think tank’s recommendation.