FAQs
Answers to practical questions about enteric methane, livestock sustainability, and how our breakthrough vaccine works.
Methane reduction in agriculture is one of the most urgent and effective ways to fight climate change—and enteric methane from livestock is a major source of global emissions. At ArkeaBio, we are pioneering the first scalable, cost-effective vaccine to reduce methane emissions from cattle, helping farmers, corporations, and governments meet their sustainability goals.
Whether you're a farmer, sustainability leader, investor, or policymaker, this guide will help you understand the role of enteric methane reduction in global climate action.
What is enteric methane?
Enteric methane is a natural byproduct of digestion in ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, and goats. Microbes in their stomachs break down food, producing methane, which is then released primarily through burping. This methane is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global emissions.
Why focus on reducing methane from cattle when there are larger sources of emissions?
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas—28 times more potent than CO₂—and enteric methane contributes as much greenhouse gas as all the world’s passenger cars. While fossil fuels remain the largest source of emissions, tackling enteric methane is one of the fastest, most effective ways to slow warming in the near term.
Isn’t methane from cows just part of a natural cycle?
Yes, methane from cows has always existed, but industrial-scale livestock production has intensified emissions beyond natural levels. The good news is that methane breaks down much faster than CO₂, meaning reducing it now can have an immediate impact on slowing global warming.
Why not just feed cows differently instead of vaccinating them?
Feed additives can help, but they only reach about 20% of cattle, mainly in feedlots. A vaccine is the only solution scalable to the 80% of cows raised on pastures, where feed interventions aren’t practical. Also the effects of a single vaccine are long-lasting, compared to feed supplements and alternatives that must be given daily.
Does reducing enteric methane harm the natural digestive process of cows?
No, the vaccine doesn’t disrupt digestion—it simply reduces methane-producing microbes in the rumen. The cow remains just as healthy, and in some cases, even more efficient in converting feed into meat and milk.
How does the ArkeaBio vaccine work?
The vaccine stimulates a cow’s immune system to produce antibodies that neutralize methane-producing microbes in the rumen, reducing emissions without harming the animal.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes, the vaccine creates natural antibodies in the cow gut, reducing methane production. This method is widely used in organic farming and proven safe in veterinary medicine. There is no detectable impact on food safety, cattle well-being, or the ecosystem.
Will my meat and milk be safe?
Yes, meat and milk products are unchanged.
Shouldn't we just reduce meat and dairy consumption instead of changing livestock?
A shift toward plant-based diets can help, but global demand for meat and dairy is still growing, especially in developing countries. A methane-reducing vaccine is a pragmatic, science-backed solution to make livestock production more sustainable, whether or not dietary preferences change.
Is it expensive?
No, the cost of dairy and meat products will not be noticeably impacted.
Is this a GMO?
No, ArkeaBio’s vaccine does not involve genetic modification of the animals or their gut microbes. This approach aligns with organic standards and natural biological processes.
What’s in it for farmers?
Farmers face growing pressure to reduce emissions. This vaccine is easy to incorporate into existing farm practices and gives farmers new revenues from sustainable food markets and emissions reductions payments. There is some evidence a vaccine could one day increase milk and meat production by up to 10%.
How does this benefit corporations and governments?
For companies with livestock in their supply chains, the vaccine is the most cost-effective way to meet their Scope 3 emissions goals. For governments, it provides a scalable, proven tool to help meet national climate goals.
Why should investors pay attention to this?
There is a tremendous carbon market opportunity in addition to the vaccine market. The vaccine leverages existing vaccine production and agricultural supply chains. The low capital and infrastructure requirements mean that the product can quickly scale to global markets.
Has this been scientifically validated?
Yes, early trials have already demonstrated a 10-15% methane reduction, with a potential to reach >40% as formulation optimizations continue.
Does this only benefit large-scale industrial farming?
No, in fact the opposite: Most of the world’s livestock is raised by farmers who own just a few animals. A vaccine gives family farmers access to an affordable and effective climate solution, improving economic opportunities in small and low-income settings.
How does this fit into global sustainability goals?
Reducing methane is one of the fastest ways to slow global warming. A vaccine supports global GHG reduction targets by providing a scalable, cost-effective tool that works across livestock systems worldwide.
What’s the long-term vision for ArkeaBio?
ArkeaBio aims to provide vaccinations for 75 million cows by 2030. If successful, it will be the first company to reduce agricultural greenhouse gases by 100 million tons of CO₂e.
