McDonald's U.K. is starting a three-year investigation into its cows' methane emissions and the best methods for lowering their impacts.

The Guardian reports that the E-CO2 Project, a consultancy that provides energy and carbon assessments for farmers and growers, will study the methane emissions from cows at 350 British farms.

The E-CO2 Project will use a greenhouse gas calculator accredited by the Carbon Trust to monitor emissions and provide suggestions on ways to reduce emissions.

If the study in the U.K., where McDonald's sources beef from some 350,000 cows, is successful, the company will roll it out in Europe.