Due to the alarming risks brought about by global warming, greenhouse effect and other environment and health threats, Land Rover has come up with a program that will contribute to clean the environment. The program was named CO2 offset program - the largest and most comprehensive environment program ever undertaken by an automaker in the United Kingdom.

The motivated pilot has been specifically made for Land Rover vehicle. The program has key components ? the first one is to offset emissions generated by Land Rover vehicle assembly - like in the manufacturing of Parts for Land Rover Freelander as well as other Rover parts and vehicle. The second aim is to provide mechanisms to offset emission from the use of their vehicle. As an aftermath of this aim, environmental technologies across Ford as well as its Premier Automotive Group will be developed. The equipment will be made by 3,000 engineers based at Rover's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The pilot will run until the end of the year 2008. The program is estimated to setoff approximately 2 million tons of CO2 over said period. The figure is equal to an average of 125,000 CO2 generated by homes over the same period.

According to Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover, "This announcement is part of a multi-stage and ongoing approach by Land Rover to environmental care and sustainability. Our CO2 offset program is the second demonstration from Land Rover in five months that it is helping to minimize the impact of its manufacturing processes and vehicles on the environment.

He further added, ?This industry leading initiative follows hard on the heels of our Land-e technological exhibit which showcases innovative hybrid electric powertrains and biofuel capability ? real world technology which will be seen on Land Rover production vehicles of the future. The announcement made by Ford yesterday will have a considerable impact in enabling us to develop that technology. It also acknowledges the challenges of climate change and recognizes our responsibility to take action now."

Mike Mason, director of Climate Care, added, "It will take time to incorporate the new technologies into the full model range so rather than wait, Land Rover have chosen to act immediately and, in addition, introduce a comprehensive CO2 offset program. This will start to reduce the climate impact of Land Rovers immediately."