According to Fox, their action-drama espionage series, 24, will be the first ‘carbon neutral' programme on television.

The makers of the show, which first aired in 2001, have cut down on the production's biggest pollutants - fuel used for transport, special effects and on-set generators - with plans to implement even more changes to their working practices in the near future. However, car chases, explosions and high-energy scenes will not be omitted from production, fitting into the producer's new environmental agenda with carbon offsets from wind-power plants in India.

A spokesperson for 24 mentioned in a recent interview that the production's obligation is first and foremost its fans. Moreover, it was stated that if they experience budget cuts and need to save money, they can always stage fewer car crashes.

Any implications has been dismissed that the show's environmental changes had to do with gaining favour from liberal critics, instead insisting that the move is purely out of regard for the environment. It was stated that because people continue to ascribe political agendas to the show, they may view the situation cynically. However, assurance has been offered that the production's environmental actions had nothing to do with gaining favour from any specific groups, and everything to do with actively looking out for the environment.

However, the fact that the network will buy carbon offsets rather than taking measures to reduce high-energy or high-pollutant scenes - such as explosions and car rashes - has raised controversy among critics. Many believe it demonstrates unsound practice for companies to be able to simply buy credit for the pollution they produce, as it discourages individuals and businesses from changing their behaviour to better the environment.

Fox last year pledged to become carbon neutral by 2010, whilst other television companies have also made a promise to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, NBC Universal plans to go green with three of its TV shows, including Saturday Night Live, while Disney and Warner Bros. already have environmental divisions established.

24 is aired on Fox in the US, and is available in the UK through various digital and satellite TV service providers, including Sky TV. It is presented in real time, with each season of the show depicting a 24-hour period in the life of its hero, Jack Bauer, who works for the US government as a counter terrorist specialist.

Indeed, viewers of 24 can now sit back, relax and support a TV show that aims to do more than just entertain.

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