Allstate Insurance Company has become the latest insurer toannounce moves designed to have a positive environmentaleffect.

The Northbrook, Ill.-based company said it was launchingAllstate Green to help offset auto emissions by fundingreforestation and clean energy projects in the United States.

Their action follows last week's Fireman's Fund announcementthat it has in place a “green upgrade” for its Prestige Premierpolicyholders allowing them to rebuild homes damaged by Californiawildfires using environmental safety and efficiency standards andlandscape with native vegetation.

Earlier this year Swiss Re said its campaign against globalwarming will include subsidies to employees who purchase hybridvehicles or spend for other energy saving items.

In September Travelers said it has established a climate changecommittee and has promoted energy-efficient offices and joinedother groups to better understand the ramifications of climatechange.

Key elements of the Allstate Green test program include:

o Participants reduce paper statements with the Allstate EasyPay Plan, an electronic payment system that automatically deductspremiums from a checking account.

o With each enrollment, Allstate will donate $30 toCarbonfund.org, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated topromote reforestation and renewable wind energy programs in theUnited States. This donation, the insurer said, will help offset atypical vehicle's emissions for one year–at no cost tocustomers.

o Customers will save up to 2 percent on premiums by enrollingin the Allstate Easy Pay Plan.

Allstate said the test program is available now in Colorado andOhio, and if successful will be rolled out nationally nextyear.

Tom Wilson, Allstate president and chief executive officer, saidin a statement that “Allstate Green enables customers to improvethe environment–and save money–through contributions to domesticprograms that offset greenhouse gas emissions and generaterenewable electric energy. We expect Allstate Green to be assuccessful as Your Choice Auto and other new products launched lastyear.”

The company said it will immediately begin to offset annualenergy usage of its corporate headquarters and business milestraveled by employee-owned and company vehicles throughcontributions to reforestation and wind energy projects.

According to Allstate, the result of these actions means thecompany's operations will contribute significantly fewer greenhousegas emissions. To further support future actions concerning thecompany's commitment to sustainable performance, Allstate said itintends to:

o Commit at least $200 million in environmentally beneficialinvestments over the next three years. The company said it recentlyhelped launch a solar power project in Nevada and has invested inwind-, hydro- and geothermal energy projects.

o Offer insurance agency owners the opportunity to offset thecarbon footprint of their offices. By choosing to be a “green”agency, they will receive signage identifying their office as greenand regular updates about ways to further reduce energy usage andimpact on the environment.

“Our research told us consumers are looking for new ways to helpthe environment–they already recycle, and they want to do more,”said George Ruebenson, president of Allstate Protection.

Allstate said if the 20 million autos insured by the companywere enrolled in Allstate Green, it would have the environmentalimpact of every registered driver in New York, Los Angeles, Chicagoand Houston garaging their cars for a year.