Is New Zealand getting closer in its ‘holy grail’ quest to cut methane emissions?

24-Sep-2024 - Last updated on 24-Sep-2024 at 13:35 GMT

The development of a methane vaccine is a high priority for New Zealand's agricultural sector. Image: Lucidome Bio

Kiwi scientists have unveiled a new company, called Lucidome Bio, to spearhead the next phase of methane vaccine research the country.

With more cows than people, efforts are afoot in New Zealand to develop methane vaccines for livestock.

A methane vaccine for cattle offers several potential benefits compared to other innovations aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock. It would require no significant alterations to existing farm operations or infrastructure. And unlike daily feed additives or dietary modifications, a vaccine would only need to be administered periodically.

Now, two key players working to provide Kiwi farmers with tools to reduce emissions are stepping up their support of a methane vaccine.

AgriZeroNZ, the joint venture between the New Zealand government and major agribusinesses, and the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) are providing NZD $13.5 million ($8.5 million and $5 million respectively) to Lucidome Bio – the new company tasked with spearheading the next phase in the country’s methane vaccine research.

The funding, coming after the launch of the company in June 2024, will allow Lucidome Bio to build its team, carry out field trials in animals, and progress the development of the vaccine for farmers.

Vaccines: ‘the holy grail’ of methane reduction

A vaccine that reduces methane from ruminant animals would be “a transformational tool” for New Zealand’s agricultural sector and for farmers worldwide, said AgriZeroNZ’s chief executive Wayne McNee.

“It’s widely recognised as the holy grail to reduce emissions, as it’s a low cost, high-impact solution which has the potential to be adopted into all farming systems.”

The new company represents a shared effort to get a vaccine to farmers sooner, he added.

Lucidome Bio, for example, builds on pioneering research led by the team of globally renowned immunologists and microbiologists at AgResearch, one of New Zealand's largest Crown Research Institutes. AgResearch will remain a ‘critical partner’ to Lucidome Bio, providing expertise and research facilities. The Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium, another a significant research organisation in New Zealand, is also shareholder alongside AgriZero NZ and NZAGRC. Lucidome Bio has also received support and funding from the New Zealand government (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment; Ministry for Primary Industries).

Meanwhile, while not a New Zealand company, it's worth noting that ArkeaBio – the US-based developer of a methane vaccine that raised $26.5 million in venture capital funding earlier this is year – is led by New Zealand expat Colin South, who is said to be working closely with New Zealand organisations on this technology.

The move also comes in the context of greater international efforts to launch a methane vaccine, such as the announcement in August from the Bezos Earth Fund to provide USD $9.4 million for an international consortium to build scientific evidence for a methane vaccine.

How would a methane vaccine work?

A successful vaccine would trigger an animal's immune system to generate antibodies in saliva that suppress the growth and function of methane-producing microbes (methanogens) in the rumen, significantly reducing the quantity of the potent greenhouse gas it burps out.

The reliance on antibody production in saliva and the complex nature of the rumen makes this work “incredibly challenging”, said NZAGRC executive director Naomi Parker.

“This is no easy task, but the research team has made significant progress over the years and achieved many groundbreaking advancements which provide critical foundations to support future success.”

Why methane matters

Scientists estimate that methane emissions are responsible for almost 40% of the total warming effect generated by human activities so far. In New Zealand, agricultural methane emissions, primarily from cattle, represent over 40% of total emissions, an unusually high proportion compared to other developed nations.

The US, European Union, and other countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. Because of its unique challenge in cutting methane, New Zealand has not joined this pledge, opting instead for its own targets. By 2030, methane must reduce to 10% below 2017 levels. By 2050, methane must reduce to 24-47% below 2017 levels.

Agricultural methane emissions also remain exempt from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, or carbon tax – again illustrating the country’s particular challenge of addressing methane in agriculture.

A collaborative effort to roll out a methane vaccine to farmers globally

But owing to the scale of its individual challenge, New Zealand’s research is aimed at creating a solution with worldwide applicability.

Lucidome Bio’s interim chief executive, David Aitken, emphasised the new venture’s commitment to technological innovation in tackling this global opportunity.

“We know farmers are looking for effective and affordable ways to reduce methane. Our vision is to help farmers feed the world while protecting our planet. We’re focused on making the technology breakthroughs needed to commercialise a safe, effective vaccine that reduces methane emissions at scale and addresses one of the world’s biggest climate change challenges.”