Prince Charles has backed new face masks for cows that are designed to reduce the amount of methane they release when they burp and breathe.
London-based ZELP produced a mask to help with rising emissions largely due to methane produced by cattle. The unusual mask, worn on a cow's nose, neutralises methane it breathes out.
The methane travels through a catalyst and gets oxidised, so instead of releasing the greenhouse gas, it releases water vapour and CO2. ZELP claims "neutralizing methane emissions is the single fastest way to stop climate change".
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Speaking to the Telegraph, the Prince Of Wales said: "May I say that it is critical because of the urgency we face in terms of the crisis confronting us in all directions and just how important is what their ideas represent in terms of finding solutions rapidly."
Experts claim contrary to common belief, around 95% of the methane is expelled via exhalations and belching of cows - not farts. The device fits 'comfortably' around a cow's head and should be worn constantly from the age of six to eight months, the designers said.
ZELP were one of four winners of the Terra Carta Design Lab, a competition to develop solutions to the environmental crisis. The Terra Carta Design Lab is a Royal College of Art (RCA) student and alumni-led response to environmental challenges.
It forms part of the HRH The Prince of Wales’ Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) which aims to "build a sustainable future". Each winner receive £50k funding and mentoring from Sir Jony Ive, chancellor of the RCA, and the corporate members of the SMI network.
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