Gearing up to tackle climate change

New scheme for Oxfordshire drivers to offset the carbon emissions of their new cars.

[UKPRwire, Fri Sep 05 2008] County Chevrolet in Oxfordshire has teamed up with carbon management company co2balance to provide its customers with CarbonZero driving for the first twelve months.

Under the new scheme for every New Chevrolet that County Chevrolet sell, they will invest into a forestry project run by co2balance to offset the carbon emissions that the car creates for the first year of it�fs driving.

Explaining the scheme, Richard Palmer from County Chevrolet said: �gWe have worked with co2balance to calculate that the amount of carbon dioxide that the average car that we sell produces 2.6 tonnes in its first year. We have offset this figure as part of the sales package, so that our customers can drive off knowing that action has been taken to reduce the environmental impact of their driving for the first year�h.

To offset these carbon emissions, County Chevrolet have invested in co2balance�fs forestry project on the Somerset and Devon boarder called Somercombe Wood. The trees that are planted as part of the CarbonZero Driving scheme will naturally absorb carbon as they grow, and are a mix of broadleaf native trees, including English Oak, Ash, Silver Birch and Alder.

The trees are planted on co2balance�fs own land to ensure complete control over their future. Once the woodlands are completed and mature they are turned into community woodlands owned by a charitable trust, so the local area can benefit from carbon offsetting as well as the environment.

Already working with many household names, including Toshiba, Staples, World Rally Championship, Mitsubishi and the BBC, co2balance helps businesses to understand better their climate and environmental impacts, and works with them to create carbon reduction plans and arranges carbon offsetting for clients.

To find out more about co2balance and log on www.co2balance.com. For more information on the CarbonZero driving, contact County Chevrolet on 01869 244000 or log on to www.countychevrolet.co.uk

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Notes to Editors:

About County Chevrolet
County Chevrolet is a family owned and run dealership in the heart of Oxfordshire. Specialising in retailing New Chevrolets and a variety of quality used cars, there is a wealth of choice available. In addition to this, County Chevrolet runs a modern all makes servicing department and are Authorised Repairers for Vauxhall as well as Chevrolet.

County Chevrolet�fs key focus is on customer service and satisfaction first and foremost.

About co2balance ltd:
co2balance�fs aim is to provide a simple, practical and cost-effective way to individuals and businesses of reducing their �ecarbon footprint�f and then balancing their unavoidable carbon dioxide emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. After providing advice on carbon reduction, co2balance will arrange to offset the residual CO2 emissions.

Offsetting is the practice of calculating a client�fs carbon footprint and then investing in a carbon reduction project to reduce an equivalent quantity of carbon.


For further information – including a range of images and pictures - please contact: Paul Chiplen, Communications Manager, on 07837 766020 or email paul.chiplen@co2balance.com

Interviews:

Richard Palmer, County Chevrolet – 01869 244000 or 07831 172022

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