Our Program

Climate change is one of today's most pressing environmental issues, brought about by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  Scientists have shown that human activities have contributed significantly to these increased greenhouse gas concentrations and transport is Australia's fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenfleet is a not-for-profit organisation. Our program provides a simple way to reduce your car's impact on the environment. For $51 (tax deductible), Greenfleet will plant 17 native trees on your behalf. These trees will help to create a forest, and as they grow will absorb the greenhouse gases generated by driving your car for one year*.

Science shows that trees, growing as part of a biodiverse native forest, will not only absorb greenhouse gas emissions, but will also help to tackle salinity, improve water quality and provide essential habitat for native species.

Since 1997, Greenfleet has planted over three million trees on behalf of Australian motorists and businesses. These trees will form permanent forests and create an investment in rural Australia for future generations.

Greenfleet also plants native forests to offset the emissions generated by air travel, household and business energy use.  

But remember, offsetting your emissions is not the entire solution to climate change - you should AVOID creating an emission wherever possible, REDUCE the emissions that you do create, and OFFSET the emissions that you can't eliminate.  Here are some ideas  to help you AVOID and REDUCE your greenhouse gas emissions and further reduce your impact on the environment.

Top Australian scientist speaks about climate change and Australia

Investing in trees as greenhouse sinks - An overview for industry (prepared by the Australian Greenhouse Office)

Audio Files 

Listen to: Dr Graeme Pearman
Climate change and Australia
Dr Pearman is Chair of Sustainability Science at Monash University. He is a member of Greenfleet's Advisory Council. From 1992 to 2004, Dr Pearman was Chief Scientist at CSIRO Atmospheric Research
(Right Click to Download, then 'Save Target As'. Approx 50 seconds using 56K modem)

Listen to: Merrick & Rosso on Sydney radio Nova969, August 2004
Getting behind Greenfleet!
Please note - Talkback caller's subscription fee is high because he chose to offset emissions from both his car and air travel using our calculator
(Right Click to Download, then 'Save Target As'. Approx 50 seconds using 56K modem)

 Listen to: Radio advertisement, generously created for Greenfleet by Singleton Ogilvy & Mather as a community service annoucement, October 2004
(Right Click to Download, then 'Save Target As'. Approx 15 seconds using 56K modem)


* Based on the most recent ABS statistics (released October 2007), the average car driving on Australia’s roads generates 3.9 tonnes of greenhouse gases (3.9 tCO2-e) per year. 

To offset 3.9 tCO2-e, Greenfleet needs to plant 15 trees as part of a biodiverse native forest.  However, Greenfleet has always planted 17 trees per year for the standard car and we will continue to do so.  This will offset at least 4.3 tCO2-e per car, providing a 10% buffer to allow for variation between vehicles, driving style and annual distance driven. 

To calculate and offset emissions for your specific vehicle and fuel consumption, please use our Tree Totaller.