Anyone searching for evidence that a carbon emissions reduction strategy was the ‘must have’ accessory of 2007 can look no further – the proof arrived in my inbox this morning.

A statement from one of the world’s richest football clubs proudly proclaimed that Chelsea had signed up to play a key role in a campaign aimed at tackling climate change right here in London.

Now call me a cynic, but no football club (especially not one the size of the Premiership’s richest club), jumps on a bandwagon such as this unless they think there’s something in it for them. Which can only mean one thing – reducing your carbon footprint isn’t just essential from an environmental perspective, it’s now an absolute PR must too.

Speaking at the launch of London’s Green500 scheme, London Mayor, Ken Livingstone told anyone within earshot that: “The London green organisations programme will motivate, support and reward organisations to reduce their carbon footprint.

“This is a world first, and places London at the forefront of government and business working together to cut carbon emissions. The impressive range of companies who have already signed up to the Green500 shows that leading businesses want to take a lead in helping to prevent climate change, and recognise that it increasingly makes commercial sense to do so.”

He’s not wrong. And Simon Greenberg, Chelsea’s Communications and Public Affairs Director, chimed in with the upbeat message - his voice almost drowned out by the sound of the players leaving the club’s training ground in their enormous gas-guzzling 4x4’s – that the club are preparing to make a “real impact” in the capital’s fight against climate change.

Could this be, I ask, the same club who last week flew their players the 140 miles to Derby for a Premiership fixture?

So as Chelsea prepare to install energy-saving light bulbs in their swanky West London offices this evening, whilst ensuring that the giant screen inside their Stamford Bridge home isn’t left on stand-by, the green brigade will be waiting for evidence that today’s statement is one of intent, and not just a rather nice piece of PR.