Summer Wyatt-Buchan looks into the innovation of ZELP and how their new methane capturing masks are a step closer to a climate friendly future in the livestock industry.
“The problem will not be solved without radical solutions, some consumers will choose to go vegan, and some will choose to eat less beef. We want to make sure we can give people the choice to purchase beef and dairy products with a significantly lower climate impact.” – Norris, founder of ZELP
One of the leading contributors to global warming is a gas produced by cows. Methane is 84% more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of warming the Earth and there are 1.6 billion cows on the planet; all of which expel excessive amounts of methane. It is estimated that livestock contribute to 10% of house gas emissions green worldwide (calculated over a 20-year period) and with dairy consumption expected to increase by 70% over the next 30 years, the impact methane has on our environment is a pressing issue.
Innovative thinking will lead humanity out of the climate crisis and is a skill required in every trade across the globe. Zero Emissions Livestock Project, also known as ZELP, is a London based company working towards greatly reducing the negative environmental impacts of the livestock industry. This company has developed a methane catching mask – for cows to wear, that is engineered to reduce livestock methane emissions by over 60%.
Image courtesy of ZELP
In the past, solutions to the challenge of cow-produced methane have always included food additives which can inhibit methane production within a cows stomach by modifying their digestion process. The mask created by ZELP, is ground-breaking for the livestock industry because it allows for cows to digest their normal food without any intervention.
“Around 95 per cent of the cattle’s methane emissions come from their nostrils and mouths… the technology detects, captures and oxidises methane when it is exhaled by the animals.” – Norris, Founder of ZELP
These masks will not harm the livestock and would be fitted at 6-8 months old, around the nostrils enabling for all the head-produced methane to be captured. Zip locks would be used so that the masks can be altered as the cows grow and this also allows for size alteration depending on the specific breed. A sensor at the tip of the mask will be able to detect the percentage methane each specific cow exhales, allowing for monitoring of emissions. If the methane level is too high and unsafe, the mask will guide the gas through an oxidation mechanism inside that contains a catalyst able to convert the methane into carbon dioxide and water, before releasing it into the atmosphere.
Safety trials have been conducted in both the UK and Argentina, alongside the Royal Veterinary College, concluding that the masks have no impact on livestock feeding habits or their overall behaviour. This means that the masks are completely animal friendly. Additionally, studies and surveys have also been carried out by ZELP, both in the UK and the US, that have found that customers are willing to pay up to 30% more for more climate-friendly beef.
The founders of ZELP hope that their product will help to ensure that climate action methods are put into place in time to meet the sustainable development goals. This company recognises that to do this, multiple collaborative efforts are required and hope that they inspire others to innovate and contribute to the climate fight.
ZELP is doing their part to meet the global greenhouse gas emission targets of the livestock industry and will continue to help fight climate change until regulatory, cultural and market dynamics are able to direct the future of beef and dairy consumption.
ZELP will accept pre-orders for the £40 masks in early 2021 with product availability expected in 2022.
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