Green car rentals and our partnership with Greenfleet

Greenfleet

In recognition of the importance in reducing carbon emissions, Europcar Australia launched its carbon offset program in December 2006. We have partnered with Greenfleet to reduce the carbon emissions of new vehicles that are added to our fleet. As at 31 March 2011, 116,411 trees have been planted via this program

Every time they rent, customers can make a $3 donation to Greenfleet. Europcar runs promotions and campaigns throughout the year to encourage customers to donate to this cause.

Greenfleet is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping the community reduce the environmental impact of travel, business and lifestyle choices by adopting low-carbon alternatives and biosequestration.

Philosophy

Greenfleet's philosophy for tackling climate change involves three key phases:

1. Avoid creating emissions wherever possible

2. Reduce the intensity of any emissions you do create

3. Offset any emissions created by recapturing CO2 from the atmosphere (carbon offset)

Avoid and Reduce

Greenfleet provides practical ways for people, businesses and other organisations to prevent and minimise the greenhouse gases they produce. E.g. using eco friendly car hire

Offset

Greenfleet is an Approved Abatement Provider under the Australian Government's Greenhouse Friendly^TM initiative. This means the methodology behind their offset program has undergone independent scrutiny and meets appropriate standards.

Greenfleet offsets greenhouse gas emissions by planting forests that soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Greenfleet forests are made up of a wide variety of Australian native trees that also help to reduce soil erosion and salinity, improve water quality and provide habitat for native animals.

Working with landholders

Greenfleet works with many landholders over an extended period to revegetate vast tracts of land. Battery Creek - a catchment for South Gippsland Water in Victoria - is an example of a site that has been planted over a number of years.

Greenfleet has progressively planted trees in the Battery Creek catchment every year since 2000. Over nine years, more than 40,000 trees have been planted at the 40 hectare site.