Barclaycard goes green with Breathe

BARCLAYCARD has launched what it said is the UK's first credit card to tackle climate change and promote "greener" spending.

Barclaycard Breathe will donate 50 per cent of its profits to carbon reduction projects around the world.

And it offers cardholders lower rates and discounts to promote more environmentally friendly spending.

For example, it offers up to £50 off British Gas loft and cavity wall insulation.

The card will make a guaranteed £1 million donation towards environmental projects in its first year and will support projects that meet the proposed UK government standards on offsetting and carbon reduction.

One such project is Solar4Schools which makes solar energy accessible for schools.

Greener materials are also used to make the plastic card itself.

Breathe is designed to meet growing customer demand for green products.

Barclaycard research found 66 per cent of people feel guilty about their impact on the planet when they shop. And 82 per cent said they would live a greener lifestyle if environmentally friendly products were cheaper.

Amer Sajed, managing director of UK cards at Barclaycard, said "This card helps customers do their bit in the fight against climate change."

Michelle Slade, analyst at Moneyfacts.co.uk, a financial search engine, said: "Barclaycard's Breathe card is a certainly a step in the right direction, but customers taking this deal must take the time fully to understand both what deal they are receiving and also whether the way they intend to use their card will actually help green causes."