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Traditionally access to environmentally friendly public utilities such as gas, electricity and water has been limited and in most cases prohibitively expensive, but there has been a profusion of new `green` utility schemes in recent years which mean the environmentally friendly approach is finally within reach for all.

This comes not a moment too soon. Greenpeace estimates that in most developed countries, domestic gas and electricity generation creates around half of the carbon emissions causing global warming.

More embarrassing for those of us in the UK, perhaps, a recent report by the World Economic Forum concluded that Britain has the second worst record for environmental protection in Europe.

And, with the government proposing subsidies of 3p per unit of energy for green utilities amid demands that at least 10% of our electricity should come from renewable sources within 10 years, the case for green energy is growing.

BeatThatQuote.com have identified various ways to `go green` and not all of them involve sticking a windmill on the roof of your house, but there is some debate over which if any is the most effective.

It`s impossible to ensure that the electricity coming through your plug socket is green unless you generate it yourself, but `match buying` means your supplier commits to buying electricity to the value of your use from a renewable supplier.

This has its critics though, as you are still connected to the national grid, which sources the vast majority of its power from gas fired power stations which clearly have a negative impact - especially on their local environment.

Offsetting is a common solution, some energy providers offer an optional surcharge on your gas bill or electricity bill which can be invested in environmental charities and projects - however some argue that offsetting simply excuses the damage you are doing to the environment and does nothing to help solve the actual problem.

Gas by its nature is harder to obtain than electricity from green sources, and here again offsetting is the solution on offer. Certain gas suppliers offer a scheme to balance the carbon dioxide produced by subscribers through planting trees in deforested areas, but the merits of offsetting are the subject of hot debate.

Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and WWF say the best way to judge the merit of an offsetting project is to check its status under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Gold Standard, an independent internationally recognised protocol which is used as a benchmark for carbon offsetting (www.cdmgoldstandard.org).

Sophie Neary, Product Director for BeatThatQuote.com, said: "More than ever we should be aware of the impact that our actions can have on the environment, and choosing an energy supplier is no different.

"With the whole utilities market at your fingertips, BeatThatQuote.com is the best starting point for anyone looking to change gas supplier or change electricity supplier and do their bit for the environment. At BeatThatQuote.com, we can also help you find the cheapest and best buy around."