co2balance is working with Devonshire Motors (a car dealership based in Devon) to run a carbon offset scheme for it’s customers, where they offset the carbon emissions from their customers new car for the first year.

How the scheme works

Calculations were made on the average car usage and emissions that Devonshire Motors sell. All vehicles that are sold include, as standard, a 12 months “Carbon Offset Package” for each vehicle. As a result of this package, funds are invested into co2balance’s tree planting forestry project.

The carbon footprint of Devonshire Motors was also carried out in order to create a baseline for the company to work against to reduce their carbon emissions. The company offset this footprint through aforestation to become a CarbonZero company.

Carbon Offsetting Projects

Devonshire Motors were offered a range of carbon offsetting projects that co2balance provide. They are broadly split into two sections, efficiency-based offsets and forestry-based offsets. Energy efficiency projects are all based in Africa, and include providing local communities with energy efficient stoves, which produce far less carbon emissions than would have otherwise been created.

Creation of the Devonshire Motors Woodland

The trees, all native broadleaf, are planted at co2balance’s Tinners Forest in Cornwall. A dedicated wood has been created within Tinners and named “Devonshire Woodland”. The trees naturally absorb carbon as they grow, and they are a mix of English Oak, Ash, Silver Birch and Alder.

The woodland is owned and managed by co2balance to ensure that there is absolute control over its future. Once the woodland is completed and mature it will be turned into a community woodland owned by a charitable trust.

Marketing opportunities of the scheme

• Press release and media coverage: a press release was created by co2balance to promote the launch of scheme, which received good local coverage.
• Website content: co2balance produced text for their website in order for them to develop an eco / offsetting section on their site.
• Sales angle: creating a unique selling point of interest to their customers.
• Promotional material: co2balance provided Devonshire Motors copies of their brochure, proving more information about climate change and the role of carbon offsetting.
• Promoting themselves as a CarbonZero Company
• Certification: Devonshire Motors were provided with paper certificates that could be printed on to personalise and present to each customer.

Testimonial

Hannah Carthew from Devonshire said, "The Carbon Offset Package has been incredibly popular with our customers and has been a great selling point for us to use. With the growing concern over climate change people want businesses to demonstrate their environmental credentials, and the Offset Package does just that. co2balance are easy to work with and provide an efficient and effective service that has been a real difference to our company".

For more information on this and other carbon offsetting initiatives, contact co2balance on:
Tel: 0845 094 2620; Email: enquiries@co2balance.com

For information on Devonshire Motors, and their Carbon Offset Project, please visit: www.devonmotorgroup.co.uk