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The growing number of supermarkets and utility companies wanting to calculate their carbon footprints has caused the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to research the CO2 emissions for new vans. "Our members and their customers are calling for impartial information on what they can do to lower their carbon footprints," explains BVRLA director general John Lewis.

He says the information is readily available for customer cars, and has become a key element in the  decision-making process of many. "It is increasingly used as a marketing tool by car manufacturers," he says. But as of yet, similar figures for vans are not readily available. As of 1 January, all new vans must have a CO2 rating but that does not mean van makers have to share the information.

With this in mind, the BVRLA has taken matters into its own hands and is currently contacting the van makers itself. it is asking each of them to reveal the figures, and plans to publish them on its website. But Lewis says it has not been easy, with no OEM wanting to be the first to supply the data. However, he is confident that a comprehensive list will be up on its website shortly.

In the meantime, the BVRLA is also promoting the Environmental Rating for Vehicles - a joint venture between Clifford Thames and Cardiff University. This unique green vehicle rating scheme not only takes a vehicle's CO2 emissions into account, but also factors in how recyclable it is, how green the factory  that produced it is, and how far it has to travel to get from the factory to the showroom. It measures the overall environmental impact of a vehicle.

Although this comprehensive listing is currently only available for cars (and can be viewed here), it will be rolled out to include vans as the CO2 data becomes available. "Why this information isn't already available beggars belief," says Lewis.