Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota develops its own flower species for cleaner air at Prius plant]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-toyota-develops-its-own-flower-species-for-cleaner-air-a/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-toyota-develops-its-own-flower-species-for-cleaner-air-a/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-toyota-develops-its-own-flower-species-for-cleaner-air-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Automakers make cars and trucks, no surprises there. Some even make other interesting things, like Honda, which also builds motorcycles, jets, robots and solar cells. But up until now, we haven't been able to think of any car companies that develop their own species of flowers. Thankfully, Toyota has reportedly stepped in to correct that oversight by creating two derivatives of the cherry sage and gardenia at its factory in Toyota City, Japan.

This is the plant where the Japanese automaker assembles the Prius hybrid, which seems fitting since the flowers were specifically chosen due to their ability to absorb nitrogen oxides and create water vapor. These attributes clean the surrounding air and lower temperatures at the factory.

Other environmentally-friendly efforts at the plant include roof-mounted solar panels, photocatalytic paint on exterior walls, reflective solar tubes that provide interior light and even slow-growing grass that only needs to be mowed twice per year (we've got dibs). According to Toyota, these initiatives help lower the carbon footprint at the plant, which is a good thing since production of the Prius hybrid is a carbon-intensive operation.


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: drive.com.au]

REPORT: Toyota develops its own flower species for cleaner air at Prius plant originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cherry sageCherrySageflowergardeniatoyotatoyota assemblytoyota citytoyota city japantoyota factorytoyota flowertoyota flowerstoyota priusToyotaAssemblyToyotaCityToyotaCityJapanToyotaFactoryToyotaFlowerToyotaFlowersToyotaPriusTue, 27 Oct 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi launches Facebook causes page to benefit Nature Conservancy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/audi-launches-facebook-causes-page-to-benefit-nature-conservancy/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/audi-launches-facebook-causes-page-to-benefit-nature-conservancy/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/audi-launches-facebook-causes-page-to-benefit-nature-conservancy/#commentsFiled under: ,

In conjunction with the launch of its diesel engines in the U.S., Audi has created a Facebook Causes page to benefit the Nature Conservancy. For every person that joins the cause, Audi has committed to donating a dollar to the Tensas River basin project where the Nature Conservancy is conducting a carbon offset program. The Tensas project involves reforestation of private lands and restoring natural habitats that have been shrinking due to human activity.

Audi has committed to donating up to $25,000 to the program. The project will buy land, plant trees and then monitor the carbon effects of all the work. The Tensas River Basin is in the lower Mississippi valley. Just head over to www.causes.com/natureconservancy to trigger another donation.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi launches Facebook causes page to benefit Nature Conservancy

Audi launches Facebook causes page to benefit Nature Conservancy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi tdiAudiTdicarbon offsetcarbon offset programscarbon offsetsCarbonOffsetCarbonOffsetProgramsCarbonOffsetslower mississippi valleyLowerMississippiValleynature conservancyNatureConservancytensas river basinTensasRiverBasinThu, 25 Jun 2009 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai Genesis sales pay for forest preservation and restoration projects]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/hyundai-genesis-sales-pay-for-forest-preservation-and-restoratio/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/hyundai-genesis-sales-pay-for-forest-preservation-and-restoratio/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/hyundai-genesis-sales-pay-for-forest-preservation-and-restoratio/#commentsFiled under: ,



Last fall, Hyundai announced that for every Genesis sedan sold during the 2009 model year it would make carbon offset grants equivalent to the CO2 emissions of those cars. Six months into the program, Hyundai Motor America is now paying out the first award grants totaling over $100,000. Three grants of $35,000 each are going to programs in Peru, Mozambique, and Kenya. The Peruvian project is meant to battle deforestation in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest while new trees are being planted in Mozambique to rehabilitate forests that have already been damaged. The Kenyan project will employ over 100 people re-planting trees in a threatened rain forest.

Hyundai is working with CarbonFund.org to identify and fund worthy projects. The program will continue through the 2009 model year and is expected to offset over 93,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide. The press release is after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai Genesis sales pay for forest preservation and restoration projects

Hyundai Genesis sales pay for forest preservation and restoration projects originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 01 May 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbonfundcarbonfund.orghyundaihyundai genesishyundai genesis forest projectHyundaiGenesisHyundaiGenesisForestProjectFri, 01 May 2009 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Two BMW riders plan a carbon-neutral motorcycle adventure]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/two-bmw-riders-plan-a-carbon-neutral-motorcycle-adventure/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/two-bmw-riders-plan-a-carbon-neutral-motorcycle-adventure/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/two-bmw-riders-plan-a-carbon-neutral-motorcycle-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Swiss citizens Mark Dembitz and Clarisse Von Wunschheim are planning to ride their BMW F 650 GS motorcycles from Beijing to Istanbul to drum up awareness of global climate change. Along the way, the duo will stop at schools and universities to "teach children and students about global warming, motivating them to join us in being aware of their impact on the environment and in making small changes to their lives that will contribute towards a better and cleaner world for everyone."

Of course, traveling nearly 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometers) across eight countries on a pair of motorcycles will generate quite a bit of carbon emissions. Don't worry, the duo has a plan to keep things under control. "We will be keeping an accurate log of daily time and distance traveled as well as fuel usage, and the quantity and quality of petrol," Mark said. "Based on this data, we will be able to approximate the quantity of carbon dioxide we emit along the ride. We will then secure credits to offset our carbon emissions."

Mark and Clarisse plan to start their journey on May 4th. Click here for their official website, which they'll update during their travels.

[Source: Going Global via BMW Motorrad Blog]

Two BMW riders plan a carbon-neutral motorcycle adventure originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart officially began selling the tiny fortwo in the U.S. market in January 2008 and by the end of that year 24,622 examples had been sold. To celebrate, the U.S. distributor is teaming up with conservation group American Forests to plant an equal number of trees. The trees will go into the Cache River State Natural Area 150 from St. Louis. Since the gas-fueled U.S. fortwo has unexceptional fuel economy for its size (33 city/41 hwy for the coupe), a little bit of carbon offset certainly can't hurt. Smart USA will also continue the program for 2009, planting trees for each car sold.

Gallery: 2008 smart fortwo roadshow


[Source: smart USA]

Continue reading smart USA celebrating its first year by planting trees

smart USA celebrating its first year by planting trees originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smartsmart fortwoSmartFortwotree plantingTreePlantingWed, 01 Apr 2009 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Fox's 24 to go carbon neutral]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/foxs-24-to-go-carbon-neutral/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/foxs-24-to-go-carbon-neutral/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/foxs-24-to-go-carbon-neutral/#commentsFiled under: ,



We haven't ever seen any specific statistics outlining the carbon emissions from car crash and car chase sequences filmed for movies or television, but it can't be good. In our current environmentally-aware global climate, movie and television studios must realize that their actions will be scrutinized, so it's not surprising to see a growing number of productions making attempts to offset their carbon emissions.

Shortly after hearing that Eric Bana's new flick Love the Beast would be going carbon neutral, news comes in that Fox will be offsetting the carbon emissions from the popular television show 24. To lessen the environmental load further, cast and crew members have switched to hybrid shuttle vehicles, trucks used by Fox will use a 20 percent biodiesel blend, motion sensors will turn lights on and off and clean energy credits will be purchased from wind farms in India.

Stars like Kiefer Sutherland will record public service announcements urging fans of the show to lessen their own environmental impact. Why 24? According to Howard Gordon, executive producer of the show, "We are arguably the worst possible offender, which is why, in a way, it made sense to start with us. If we can do it, anyone can."

[Source: NY Times]

Fox's 24 to go carbon neutral originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2424 carbon emissions24 carbon offset24CarbonEmissions24CarbonOffsetfoxfox carbon emissionsfox carbon offsetFoxCarbonEmissionsFoxCarbonOffsetjack bauerJackBauerTue, 03 Mar 2009 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Eric Bana offsets carbon emissions of new film, "Love the Beast"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/eric-bana-offsets-carbon-emissions-of-new-film/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/eric-bana-offsets-carbon-emissions-of-new-film/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/24/eric-bana-offsets-carbon-emissions-of-new-film/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Regardless of your view on global climate change, you must admit that the issue of carbon emissions has become a hot topic over these last few years, and automobiles have taken the brunt of the criticism. Celebrities often seem to be leading the low-emissions charge, or they at least like to appear that way by driving fuel sippers like the Toyota Prius or sometimes the fully electric Tesla Roadster. Not this time. Eric Bana, star of box office productions like Hulk and Troy, is apparently quite the gearhead, and he's also concerned enough with the environment to offset all the carbon emissions of his upcoming new flick, Love The Beast.

The title character of the new movie is an Australian Ford Falcon coupe from 1973 - hardly a bastion of clean motoring - that was modified to take part in the Targa Tasmanian Rally. Bana's production company hired a team of specialists to calculate the carbon emissions spent by the crew in the making of the film, and the appropriate number of trees will be planted to equal it all out.

[Source: Reuters]

Eric Bana offsets carbon emissions of new film, "Love the Beast" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric banaeric bana carbon offseteric bana documentaryeric bana love the beastEricBanaEricBanaCarbonOffsetEricBanaDocumentaryEricBanaLoveTheBeastlove the beast carbon offsetLoveTheBeastCarbonOffsetTue, 24 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Thanks, team! AutoblogGreen takes fifth in EcoDriving challenge]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/thanks-team-autobloggreen-takes-fifth-in-ecodriving-challenge/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/thanks-team-autobloggreen-takes-fifth-in-ecodriving-challenge/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/thanks-team-autobloggreen-takes-fifth-in-ecodriving-challenge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Need a quick little something to do during your lunch break? The EcoDriving game from the Auto Alliance has been up since September and AutoblogGreen readers have managed to - as a team - come in fifth place in the overall rankings. To mark our/your ecodriving skills, the Auto Allliance has paid to offset the carbon emissions of an "average sized car" for a year in our name. Thanks, y'all.

Now, a quick look at the EcoDriving leader board shows that Wonkette Readers are pretty untoppable in first place, but I think we can move up from fifth, don't you? I think it's doable to overtake the Political Wire Readers and maybe even TPM. Got a few minutes? Remember to read the tips about emptying the trunk and pumping up the tires before setting out on your journey.


[Source: Auto Alliance]

Thanks, team! AutoblogGreen takes fifth in EcoDriving challenge originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto allianceAutoAllianceecodrivingflash gameFlashGameThu, 11 Dec 2008 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai to offset CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of 2009 Genesis sedans]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/hyundai-to-offset-co-sub-2-sub-emissions-of-2009-genesis-sedan/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/hyundai-to-offset-co-sub-2-sub-emissions-of-2009-genesis-sedan/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/hyundai-to-offset-co-sub-2-sub-emissions-of-2009-genesis-sedan/#commentsFiled under: ,



Hyundai took a big step upmarket in 2008 with the launch of its new Genesis luxury sedan. For now, the Genesis is only available with a choice of V6 or V8 engines but in keeping with Hyundai's new Blue Drive strategy, the company has decided to do something about the Genesis emissions. Hyundai has decided to buy carbon offsets from CarbonFund.org that will cover the first year's worth of emissions from all 2009 model Genesis sedans. Based on current sales projections, the company expects that to amount to about 93,170 metric tons of CO2. The money from the carbon offset payments will be used to permanently preserve and re-forest 3,000 acres of Brazilian rain-forest land. Hyundai is by no means the first manufacturer to do this and it likely won't be the last. The Hyundai press release is after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai to offset CO2 emissions of 2009 Genesis sedans

Hyundai to offset CO2 emissions of 2009 Genesis sedans originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon offsetcarbon offsetsCarbonOffsetCarbonOffsetshyundaihyundai genesisHyundaiGenesisMon, 24 Nov 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Corvette drivers can care for the environment, too, you know, even accidentally]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/01/corvette-drivers-can-care-for-the-environment-too-you-know-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/01/corvette-drivers-can-care-for-the-environment-too-you-know-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/01/corvette-drivers-can-care-for-the-environment-too-you-know-ev/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Who says Corvettes drivers don't care about the environment? There seems to be a slight clustering of Corvette-related news on ABG recently - from the Z06 winning the MPG Marathon to the Corvette C6R winning the first ever GT class of the ALMS Green Challenge - and today we bring you a report from the Looking Glass Corvette Club from Highland, Illinois and the Original Corvette Club of St. Louis. These Corvette fans drove on over to Mid America Motorworks in Effingham, Illinois last Sunday. Why would they do this? To donate two Red Maple trees, named "Red Sunset" and "October Glory."

It's great to plant trees and all, but let's do a little math. The drive from Highland to Effingham is 69 miles. From St. Louis to Effingham is 101 miles (these numbers courtesy of Google maps). Let's say two Corvettes made the drive, assuming only one Corvette from each club made the drive, and got 25 mpg each. I'm being generous here and pretending it's all highway miles. That means at about 14 gallons of gas were burned. Those 14 gallons turn into 280 pounds of CO2. A Trees for the Future PDF tells me that a tree like the one in the picture might sequester about 25-30 pounds of CO2 a year for the until they get some girth and height. So, the drive to plant the trees means the trees won't have an impact on the CO2 balance until about five years from now. Not exactly the most efficient way to clean up the air, but also not totally worthless.

Oh, wait. The announcement of the tree planting contains this quote from John Mullane, President of the Looking Glass Corvette Club: "Our donation of this tree is to commemorate the memories made at Mid America Motorworks Corvette Funfest." Guess it wasn't about the environment after all. Well, then I guess we can consider it a bonus that we might see a positive effect after five years.

[Source: Mid America Motorworks]

Continue reading Corvette drivers can care for the environment, too, you know, even accidentally

Corvette drivers can care for the environment, too, you know, even accidentally originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corvettecorvette clubCorvetteClubmammid-america motorworksMid-americaMotorworksmike yagerMikeYagerSat, 01 Nov 2008 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover keeps on chuggin with carbon offset program]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/land-rover-keeps-on-chuggin-with-carbon-offset-program/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/land-rover-keeps-on-chuggin-with-carbon-offset-program/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/land-rover-keeps-on-chuggin-with-carbon-offset-program/#commentsFiled under: ,


Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4_e

While Land Rover does make some concept vehicles that would be cleaner than their current production vehicles (see the LRX and the recently-unveiled Freelander 2 TD4_e), one of the company's longstanding policies to reduce the impact that their vehicles have on the environment is to offer carbon offsets (read more here and here). Today, Land Rover expanded its two-pronged strategy to include a new offset program in the Middle East - this one good for the first 72,000 kilometers put on a new vehicle, plus the CO2 created when the vehicle was manufactured. Currently, Land Rover's offset program operates in France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Austria and some parts of the U.S. More areas will sign up later this year. All of Land Rover's offset projects are managed by Climate Care.

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover keeps on chuggin with carbon offset program

Land Rover keeps on chuggin with carbon offset program originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon offsetcarbon-offsetCarbonOffsetland roverland rover eland-roverland-rover-eLandRoverLandRoverErover_eThu, 09 Oct 2008 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[CO<sub>2</sub> E - Race coming to Denmark next fall]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/co-sub-2-sub-e-race-coming-to-denmark-next-fall/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/co-sub-2-sub-e-race-coming-to-denmark-next-fall/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/co-sub-2-sub-e-race-coming-to-denmark-next-fall/#commentsFiled under: ,



Automobile races that try to put on a green mantle are seriously nothing new. There's Formula 1, Formula Zero, and ALMS to name just a few. Coming soon (well, in a year) to a country near you (if you live in Denmark) is a new eco-aware speed event called the CO2 E - Race. At least, that's what we think this this is about. The current website is woefully short on things like details.

What the site does say is that the idea behind the CO2 E - Race is that all of the vehicles involved must be carbon neutral. The reason for the race (and a car show) is the United Nations Global Climate Change Conference which takes place in Copenhagen next September. I expect we'll know more well before then. After all, getting the word out is part and parcel for these things, no? Thanks to Jacob for the tip!

[Source: CO2 E - Race]

CO2 E - Race coming to Denmark next fall originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon-neutralcarbon-neutral-racecarbon-neutral-racingco2co2-e-racecopenhagendenmarke-raceTue, 23 Sep 2008 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Wales to host the first carbon neutral FIA World Rally Championship]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/wales-to-host-the-first-carbon-netural-fia-world-rally-champions/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/wales-to-host-the-first-carbon-netural-fia-world-rally-champions/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/wales-to-host-the-first-carbon-netural-fia-world-rally-champions/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In this day and age of increased environmental awareness, not even motorsports are granted exclusion from the eco-friendly expectations which all companies and organizations are held to. Of course, it's not just the racing itself that causes carbon emissions, as the fans attending the event need to travel in order to get there. In fact, as you can see from the graph below, when race organizers for the upcoming Wales Rally GB in December did some fact-finding, they found that the race vehicles accounted for just 5-percent of the 4,333 metric tons of overall CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. In order to make the actual race the first carbon neutral FIA Rally event, organizers have instituted car-pooling for officials and marshals as well as replacing battery-powered flashlights with wind-up alternatives and planning full-scale recycling. The remaining CO2 will be offset through credits from The CarbonNeutral Company.

The Wales Rally GB is already looking towards the future. The event believes that it can significantly reduce the amount of CO2 emitted from the event in the coming years, lessening the amount of offsets necessary to remain carbon neutral. After all, it's better not to emit in the first place than to cover it up afterward.

[Source: Wales Rally GB via Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Wales to host the first carbon neutral FIA World Rally Championship originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last year we spoke about the Mongol Rally and even interviewed one of the participating teams. What's this? A charity rally departing three European cities (this year: London, Milan and Madrid) that tries to reach Ulan Bator, the capital city of Mongolia. In order to participate in this rally, cars should have engines under 1 liter of capacity (and motorbikes under 125 cm3) and teams have to raise at least £1,000 to participate. This year, the Spanish teams will have a partner, Bosques Naturales, that is going to plant more than 100 trees that will offset the estimated 2-tons (metric) of CO2 that each car will produce during the event.

[Source: Mongol Rally and Agronoticias]

Mongol Rally 2008 offsets CO2 emissions originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bosques-naturalesmongol-rallymongolrallytreetree-offsettingtree-plantingtreesWed, 23 Jul 2008 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Buying a new car? That'll be 20 trees, please.]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/buying-a-new-car-thatll-be-20-trees-please/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/buying-a-new-car-thatll-be-20-trees-please/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/buying-a-new-car-thatll-be-20-trees-please/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



When we mention Brazil, we're usually speaking about their aggressive ethanol (alcoól) policy or their availability of flex-fuel cars. But today we're speaking about a creative proposition: The Brazilian Câmara dos Deputados is discussing a bill which will make planting trees mandatory as a means of paying fees for certain legal proceedings. Which ones? Getting married, getting a divorce, buying a new car or trading estate.

For example, if you want to get married, you would have to pay to plant 10 trees (25 if you later need a divorce). When purchasing a car, you would need to plant 20 trees, 40 if it's a light-duty van or 60 if it's a heavy vehicle. When trading estate, 10 trees would be required to sell a house, 20 to sell a business.

The idea is that all these activities harm the environment and so we should give something back. The law aims to recover the rainforest and offset the country's carbon emissions. Conservative estimates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics calculate that about 65 million trees would be planted per year under the proposed rules.

[Source: Globo]

Buying a new car? That'll be 20 trees, please. originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilgloboplanting-treestreesWed, 18 Jun 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo dealer in Verona, Italy is company's first to go carbon neutral]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/volvo-dealer-in-verona-italy-is-companys-first-to-go-carbon-ne/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/volvo-dealer-in-verona-italy-is-companys-first-to-go-carbon-ne/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/volvo-dealer-in-verona-italy-is-companys-first-to-go-carbon-ne/#commentsFiled under: ,



Dealers for car companies have tried various carbon neutral offerings. A Land Rover shop in Oregon, for example, gave away carbon offsets for the first 50,000 miles of each new vehicle sold last year. But what did it take to make the new Volvo Trucks dealer in Verona, Italy totally carbon neutral? Solar cells on the roof.

Thanks to that eco-friendly update, the dealership produces more energy than it uses and the excess is fed back into the grid. Heat is generated from methane gas, but Volvo was clear that the solar panels above the building more than make up for this in carbon offset terms. The dealership was opened late last week, and Volvo is looking to make more of its dealerships carbon neutral. Not all will use the solar option, as local conditions will determine what renewable energy sources are used where.

[Source: Volvo]

Volvo dealer in Verona, Italy is company's first to go carbon neutral originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon-neutralcarbon-offsetvolvo-italyvolvo-methanevolvo-solarMon, 16 Jun 2008 15:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Cars.com finds a TerraPass fleet is the right move]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/cars-com-finds-a-terrapass-fleet-is-the-right-move/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/cars-com-finds-a-terrapass-fleet-is-the-right-move/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/cars-com-finds-a-terrapass-fleet-is-the-right-move/#commentsFiled under: ,

How much carbon does the fleet of vehicles over at KickingTires spew? For starters, about 26 tons. That's at least what the Cars.com team has decided is the right amount of Terrapass carbon offsets to buy for the fleet, and senior editor Dave Thomas said that this initial purchase will be reviewed as the cars' emissions are more accurately rated in the coming months. He told AutoblogGreen that he expects he'll need to buy more to round out the year, but for now, at least, when Cars.com reviews a huge SUV, somewhere an angel gets its wings a tree is planted.

In a blog post announcing the passes, they write that this purchase isn't trying to get on anyone's good side (although I've gotta say I approve), but "the main reason for this program is to help the environment for future generations of drivers." Oh, and the challenge to other review outlets to do the same? Clever. We don't exclusively focus on reviews here, but we do our share. Just might have to consider this for our own green selves.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Cars.com finds a TerraPass fleet is the right move originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 09 May 2008 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cars-comcars.comdave-thomasdavid-thomaskicking-tiresterra-passterrapassFri, 09 May 2008 18:08:00 EST<![CDATA[clickair offsets CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in forest close to base airport]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/clickair-offsets-co2-emissions-in-forest-close-to-base-airport/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/clickair-offsets-co2-emissions-in-forest-close-to-base-airport/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/clickair-offsets-co2-emissions-in-forest-close-to-base-airport/#commentsFiled under: ,



Another airline has decided to give passengers the option to offset your carbon emissions when purchasing plane tickets. The latest carbon offset entrant is clickair, a low-cost company based in Barcelona, Spain. The story is that, due to Barcelona's airport placement between two lagoons and a protected area, the airline's carbon offsets take place close to El Prat de Llobregat airport, in a reserve by the Llobregat river.

Prices start at very acceptable levels (€ 3) and with low expectations: clickair expects to plant 250 trees through this program which will cover at least a little bit of the effects of its fleet of ten Airbus A320s.

[Source: Clickair]

clickair offsets CO2 emissions in forest close to base airport originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbusairbus-a320carbon-neutralcarbon-offsetcarbon-offsetsclickairel-prattree-plantingTue, 08 Apr 2008 12:13:00 EST<![CDATA[uShip partners with TerraPass for environmentally conscious shipping]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/25/uship-partners-with-terrapass-for-environmentally-conscious-ship/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/25/uship-partners-with-terrapass-for-environmentally-conscious-ship/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/25/uship-partners-with-terrapass-for-environmentally-conscious-ship/#commentsFiled under: ,

Earlier this year, TerraPass sold its 100,000th sticker. The momentum to offset a vehicle's carbon emissions continues, and you can now participate in the program even if you're not in your car

uShip is a shipping service, and can help you move a vehicle when you need to get it somewhere but don't have the time or money to move it yourself. uShip also offers more traditional shipping options (think pianos or moving furniture), and it's this side of the company that partnered up with TerraPass. uShip's trucks now sport the TerraPass sticker (if I'm reading things correctly) which makes using the service carbon neutral.

uShip's Adam Greenspan told AutoblogGreen that the TerraPass partnership "is an effort to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. uShip also makes the shipping industry more efficient by filling empty cargo space and back hauls." Nothing that other shippers aren't trying (see here or here), but every time someone makes a greener decision, I'm pretty sure an angel gets its wings.

[Source: Adam G. of uShip]

uShip partners with TerraPass for environmentally conscious shipping originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon-neutralcarbon-offsetterrapas-ushipterrapassushipTue, 25 Mar 2008 16:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Poor country in need of cash? Sell forests to trade off pollution.]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/poor-country-in-need-of-cash-sell-forests-to-trade-off-pollutio/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/poor-country-in-need-of-cash-sell-forests-to-trade-off-pollutio/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/poor-country-in-need-of-cash-sell-forests-to-trade-off-pollutio/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Bolivia is one of Latin America poorest countries and is looking for a way of improving its economy. Instead of dirty mining or cutting wood, a report written by Andrea Urioste states that Bolivia could sell oxygen. While this may sound like they'd need buyers who are also interested in oceanfront property in Kansas, what we're talking about here is selling the "protection and conservation" of its natural forests.

According to Ms. Urioste, Bolivia could be paid money to preserve forest environments. She proposes a scheme in which rich countries would pay money in exchange for the right to emit more carbon. It's like TerraPass for nations.

In a recent report by the World Bank, keeping 1 ha (2.47 acres) as forest rather than razing it could be worth something between $1,500 and $10,000. If you think it isn't such an important figure, bear in mind that the same report said that 1 ha of soy allows income of about $1,500, while 1 ha dedicated to cattle pays $500 pack and 1 ha of coca, from $250 to $400. I guess trees are the answer.

[Source: PNUMA via Agroinformación]

Poor country in need of cash? Sell forests to trade off pollution. originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boliviacarbon-tradingforest-preservationpnumaWed, 19 Mar 2008 14:24:00 EST