The automotive franchise, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, offers the lowest CO2 emissions of any car hire company as a result of investing in the latest green technology, as well as electric, plug-in and hybrid vehicles.

Greenmotion has now launched a new programme to combat climate change worldwide by offsetting the remaining carbon produced by its fleet, head office and 16 branches across the UK.

Any remaining unavoidable carbon emissions will be offset to the Florestal Santa Maria project, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by stopping deforestation in Brazil. Some companies in the automotive sector, including Jaguar, Land Rover and Tusker, are already counteracting their emissions. Greenmotion, however, is the first rental company to employ this process.

Will Wynter, franchisee development manager at Greenmotion, says: "The offsetting will work hand in hand with our efforts to reduce emissions. We have already had our carbon footprint assessed and we're pleased to be offsetting the cost of our emissions to a worthy cause in the Amazon rainforest."

Based on an assessment of the carbon emissions from the company's fleet of over 3,500 vehicles, averaging 2,000 miles each per month, Greenmotion will pay close to £40,000 per year to compensate for on-road emissions.