Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has committed $9.4 million through the Bezos Earth Fund to support research on a methane-reducing vaccine for cattle, aimed at significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. An international research team, including scientists from the Pirbright Institute, the Royal Veterinary College, and AgResearch, is studying how targeted antibody responses can inhibit methane-producing microbes in cattle. This high-impact initiative seeks to develop scalable solutions to help reduce the agriculture sector’s environmental footprint and address global climate change.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has provided $9.4 million in funding to a research initiative exploring a methane-reducing vaccine for cattle, aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector. The funding, awarded by the Bezos Earth Fund as part of its $10 billion climate-focused philanthropy, supports an international team led by scientists from the Pirbright Institute in Surrey, England; the Royal Veterinary College; the Spanish National Research Council; and AgResearch in New Zealand.
Dr. Andrew Steer, President of the Bezos Earth Fund, emphasized the potential impact of this innovative approach to climate action, stating that vaccines have proven effective in delivering health solutions at scale. He described the grant as a “moonshot for proof-of-concept,” adding that such bold investments are essential in tackling climate change.
The project’s aim is to develop a vaccine capable of reducing the production of methane-producing microbes (methanogens) in cattle. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, accounts for a significant portion of agricultural emissions, with livestock alone responsible for nearly a third of global emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. The Global Methane Hub reports that cutting methane emissions by 45% this decade could have a global cooling effect of approximately 0.3°C by 2040.
The research project, led by Prof. John Hammond at the Pirbright Institute, is structured around two primary areas:
- Early Development of Immune Response: Researchers will examine how methanogens colonize a calf’s digestive tract and how the immune system responds, laying the foundation for an immune-driven intervention.
- Antibody Response and Vaccine Development: By identifying specific antibodies to target methanogens, scientists aim to create a clear path forward for developing an effective methane vaccine.
Prof. Hammond explains that rather than simply creating a methane vaccine, the project’s goal is to define what an effective vaccine must accomplish, allowing for precise, targeted research. This approach minimizes trial and error, focusing instead on high-resolution immunology. Dr. Neil Wedlock, principal scientist at AgResearch, highlighted the collaborative effort with Pirbright Institute and the Bezos Earth Fund, emphasizing the shared expertise in methanogen biology to limit methane production through antibody-driven responses.
The Bezos Earth Fund investment brings renewed attention to the potential of immunization in reducing environmental impact, as vaccination is already an established, auditable farming practice. In combination with other strategies, such as genetic selection and chemical inhibition, a methane-targeted vaccine could transform sustainable agriculture.
AgResearch, based in New Zealand, is a leader in agricultural innovation, while the Pirbright Institute in Surrey is supported by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which funds extensive research into viral diseases affecting livestock and humans.
