From Gerd Leipold, Executive Director, Greenpeace International - Guest Blogger

In Greenpeace we talk a lot about CO2 emissions. We criticise governments and corporations for not doing enough to keep making reductions to work towards a fossil-free future. Greenpeace is in no doubt that this is necessary.

But do we just talk the talk, or do we actually walk the walk?

Well, as you would expect, we walk the walk by doing our utmost to reduce our carbon footprint.

And it's working. Greenpeace International's CO2 emissions for 2007 showed a 9.8% reduction on our 2006 emissions.

No one said it would be easy, and it isn't, but we will continue to work towards zero CO2 emissions and we will campaign for others to do likewise.

We do what we can to reduce the environmental impact of our meetings. Our main focus is on the careful selection of location in order to keep travelling to a minimum but we also work closely with venues to tailor the facilities to our needs regarding food provided and office supplies used.

Alternatives to face-to-face meetings, such as video and Internet conferencing, are being increasingly adopted and are encouraged throughout the worldwide Greenpeace organisation.

Approximately 70% of our (Amsterdam-based international) staff commutes primarily by bicycle. In order to keep travel costs down and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that would be otherwise incurred through the use of private transport, every Greenpeace International employee based in the Netherlands is entitled to a public transport travel card, enabling them to
travel to work and meetings in the Netherlands using any form of public transport. We also participate in a national scheme that enables employers to purchase bicycles for their employees who commute by bicycle for more than 50% of the time.

And, of course, we frown on any of our own using private cars to travel to the office or to work. There are times when it's too difficult to use a bus, for example if someone has a lot of luggage, but public transport should be used wherever and whenever possible and practical. Within Europe, transport by train is the preferred option and unless a journey is more than 6 hours by train, no flight is allowed.

One of the things that Greenpeace is most well known for is our ships. We have ensured that all of our ships meet or exceed maritime emissions regulations. Additionally, The Rainbow Warrior is equipped with sails, and wherever possible, we use sails as our primary means of propulsion. Obviously, this is not always possible, but the use of wind power whenever
feasible is one way we contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases whilst still carrying out the business that we are famous for.

So, there you have it. Greenpeace International not only asks others to work towards a CO2-free lifestyle, we do it ourselves.