Saab will become the first ‘carbon neutral’ car brand in Australia in 2007 with the carbon emissions of every new Saab vehicle sold to be offset by the planting of new trees.
Beginning this year, Saab will purchase a one year ‘offset’ to Greenfleet for every new or demonstration Saab vehicle purchased, making Saab the first brand to offset its entire range.
Under the agreement Greenfleet will plant 17 native trees for each vehicle, which will absorb the greenhouse gas emissions produced by a car in one year.
The trees will also help tackle salinity, improve water quality and provide essential habitat for native species.
Director Saab Australia and New Zealand, Parveen Batish, says Saab’s Greenfleet program is an important part of the brand’s environmental leadership.
“Saab has a clear commitment to ‘performance with responsibility’,” Mr Batish said.
“The partnership with Greenfleet is another way for the Saab community to drive with a green conscience irrespective of which vehicle they choose.”
Specialising in reducing the environmental impacts of transport, Greenfleet Australia began in 1997 and has planted nearly three million native trees to create permanent forests on behalf of motorists to sequester carbon emissions.
“It is really terrific that Saab has taken this very practical step to offset the carbon emissions from their whole range of cars,” said Greenfleet acting CEO Sara Gipton.
“It is so important that we all reduce our impact on the planet and Saab’s initiative demonstrates how easy it is to make a positive difference. Transport is the fastest-growing source of carbon emissions in Australia – just imagine what we could achieve if all car manufacturers were to follow Saab’s example.”