Land Rover announces Earthwatch as fifth global sponsorship partner

Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, has become Land Rover's fifth global sponsorship partner. Land Rover will assist Earthwatch's activities in working to conserve endangered species and their habitats by engaging people worldwide in scientific field research and education.

The sponsorship forms part of Land Rover's sustainable development policy, which outlines the company's commitment to developing the business responsibly and ensuring sound environmental practice in all Land Rover activities.

Land Rover's first act in support of Earthwatch has been to supply a Defender for work in the Samburu, Kenya. The vehicle is currently contributing to a number of projects, including surveying Grevy's Zebras on community lands and within the Lewa Conservancy, as well as an in-depth study into conflict between carnivores and livestock for limited water resources.

Nigel Winser, executive director of Earthwatch (Europe), said: "The vehicles that Land Rover provide will support the programmes where off-road capabilities are required.

"This will improve the quality and safety of the field research we undertake to understand, manage and conserve the natural resources of the world in a sustainable manner. I know these Land Rovers will be welcomed by our local scientists and the communities with whom we work."

Land Rover has pioneered responsible off-roading through its 'Fragile Earth' policy for many years and currently works with four other sponsorship partners; the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), the China Exploration and Research Society (CERS), Born Free and Biosphere Expeditions.

Land Rover supplies a quarter of the global aid agency market and the vehicles are used by emergency services, police, ambulance and mountain rescue teams worldwide.

Land Rover's sponsorship programmes form part of an integrated approach to sustainability. Land Rover engineers are at the forefront of Ford's £1 billion programme to develop technologies that will reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

Land Rover has also introduced the world's biggest consumer carbon dioxide offset programme, which offsets all of the CO2 generated by Land Rover's manufacturing operations and the first 72,500 km of vehicle use by its UK customers. It is run by Climate Care, a highly respected offset provider.

The ultimate goal is CO2 neutrality, with investments being made in renewable energy projects such as wind and hydro, technology change and energy efficiency.