Transport is the only sector where greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be higher in 2020 than in 1990*, with 85% of these emissions predicted to come from road vehicles unless motorists take immediate action warns Co-operative Insurance (CIS) today.

Although there continues to be some debate about climate change amongst mainstream scientists, there is however unanimous agreement on the harsh reality of the situation which has been compounded by human activity**. Any debate that does exist surrounds the more complex issues, such as how much carbon dioxide (CO2) there can be in the atmosphere before we start to see a rise in temperature of 2oc or 3oc.

David Neave, Director of General Insurance at Co-operative Insurance (CIS) said: "We believe it's essential to the future of our planet that everybody gets onboard with greener' driving sooner rather than later. By sponsoring events such as the world's first Sexy Green Car Show' at the Eden Project (30th March to 15th April 2007) we aim to put motorists into the green' driving seat.

"At Co-operative Insurance we are firm believers that every person can make a tiny difference' to climate change and our unique Eco Insurance product allows drivers to do this by offseting some of the damage that their car's CO2 emissions contribute to the environment at no extra cost to themselves."

In recent years cars have been getting heavier on average, eating up efficiency improvements elsewhere as a result of optional add-ons' and perpetuating the myth that bigger equals safer' which have all contributed to the rise in harmful CO2 outputs.

Surprisingly, less than 1% of a traditional car's fuel is used through driver behaviour, with approximately 87% being lost through heat and noise in the engine, pollution controls and in transmitting the power to the wheels***.

Whilst trading your energy inefficient car in for a more youthful greener' model is desirable it is not an option for many car owners. However, by making tiny differences' which will help the environment, like reducing air conditioning use, ensuring that your vehicle is well-maintained and switching to an eco insurance motor policy, drivers can do their bit to help alter the speed of climate change.