Chevrolet is Investing 40 Million to Offset its Car's Emissions

Chevrolet has announced that it is investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Its goal is to reduce 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over next few years. The company plans to invest $40 million on efforts that reduce environmental impacts. The initiative is focused on projects that promote energy savings, renewable energy, responsible use of natural resources and conservation in communities across the U.S.

Chevrolets efforts are equal to eliminating the carbon emissions from the electricity usasge of almost one million (970,874) homes or 1.7 million acres of pine forest.

These initiatives are equivalent to one year of emissions from driving all the cars GM expects to sell in th U.S. in 2011 (1.9 million vehicles).

Chevrolet’s clean energy investments include efforts like wind, solar and forestry projects, methane capture from landfills, providing energy efficient technology to schools and other community-based facilities.

“GM has made great progress in reducing our environmental impact, but we know we can do more,” said General Motors CEO Dan Akerson. “Chevrolet’s investment is an extension of the environmental initiatives we’ve been undertaking for years because the solution to global environmental challenges goes beyond just vehicles.”

Chevrolet is making investments through third-party organizations with the help of environmental experts, non-government organizations and academics through the Climate Neutral Business Network.

“Chevy is an iconic emblem of America and it is a big deal that it is stepping forward to address one of our greatest challenges – moving us toward a low-carbon future,” said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. “Chevy is clearly demonstrating that companies can act now and help propel clean energy solutions.”

For more information about Chevrolet’s clean energy investment initiatives, click here.