Smart Wearable Device Launched to Track Methane Emissions from Livestock
London, Wednesday, 26 August 2026.
Climate technology firm Zelp has commercially launched a wearable device to continuously measure individual livestock methane emissions, helping agricultural supply chains track carbon footprints and meet corporate compliance standards.
Commercial Deployment of Zelp Sense Technology
Climate technology firm Zelp has officially commenced the commercial release of Zelp Sense, a wearable device engineered to measure methane and carbon emissions directly from individual livestock animals [1]. The launch, dated 26 August 2026, marks a significant development for agricultural supply chains facing heightened regulatory scrutiny and Scope 3 reporting mandates [1]. This real-world emissions data is designed to enable food production conglomerates, research institutions, and governments to accurately quantify baseline livestock impact and optimize feed efficiency [1]. By avoiding the need for controlled chambers or fixed feed stations, the device allows for continuous measurement in real-world farm environments [1].
Technical Validation and Environmental Context
The urgency for such technology is underscored by data indicating methane is a super pollutant with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period [1]. Approximately 70 percent of agricultural methane emissions originate from livestock digestion, making accurate measurement critical for climate goals [1]. The Zelp Sense system, which includes the wearable device, automated data transfer, and the Zelp Insight web application, was validated through over 20,000 hours of real-world testing [1]. During this validation phase, the system yielded methane emission estimates in grams per day that were comparable to accepted existing methods [1]. The device features a breathable headpiece, a flexible nosepiece, and a gas-sensing unit with a breakaway safety mechanism to ensure animal welfare [1].
Strategic Implications for Agricultural Compliance
Zelp is currently collaborating with partners to measure Scope 3 emissions and verify methane-mitigating feed additives and vaccines [1]. Francisco Norris, co-founder and CEO of Zelp, stated that the device offers a practical, scalable way for the industry to measure emissions from individual cows [1]. The development was co-funded by the Global Methane Hub’s Enteric Fermentation R&D Accelerator, which supports high-impact livestock methane reduction solutions [1]. Hayden Montgomery, Agriculture Program Director at the Global Methane Hub, noted that effective measurement is foundational to progress and that Zelp Sense promises to help generate the real-world evidence needed to scale effective enteric methane solutions [1].