Estimated Brits CO2 emissions

Website users' electricity: 2.1 tonnes Event guest travel: 707.3 tonnes TV audience electricity: 303.6 tonnes CD and video lifecycle emissions: 243.8 tonnes Launch party: 1.1 tonnes Launch guest travel: 60.8 tonnes Event waste production: 20.4 tonnes Event catering: 2.7 tonnes

They say the awards, which will generate more than 1,443 tonnes of CO2, will be the world's first "carbon neutral" event.

The trees - which will cover areas the size of eight Wembley football pitches - are to be planted in four natural woodlands in Ireland, Scotland, the Midlands and southern England.

It is hoped they will offset CO2 generated by TV production broadcast units, lighting, transport and the millions tuning in to watch the show.

Two members of girl band Atomic Kitten, nominated for best newcomer, gave the move the green light at the nomination ceremony.

Singer Liz McClarnon said: "It's brilliant that the Brits is backing this idea.

70% of CO2 emissions come from vehicles, heating and powering factories

"Bands and stars around the world have taken a stand, now it's time to put the message on Britain's biggest music stage."

And Future Forests' founder Dan Morrell added it was a "great way for us to think and get active about global warming".

He stressed the importance of using "less and cleaner energy and offsetting those emissions which remain".

Atomic Kitten (with Vanessa Feltz) support Future Forests

The environmental group also has support from the Pet Shop Boys, Blur's Alex James, the Glastonbury festival, Neneh Cherry, B*witched, and Tower Records.

So far, 10,000 individuals have purchased trees to help the cause. Carbon dioxide is the most significant cause of global warming, with the average person in the UK producing 11 tonnes each year, said Future Forests.

The group has planted more than 50 forests across the UK, and explains that as trees grow, they absorb CO2 and turn it into oxygen, which is then released back into the atmosphere.

The earth is getting hotter

The plants also store carbon in their wood - about 50% of the dry weight of a tree is made up of the substance.

But it adds that the average global temperature has risen by 0.6�C in the last 130 years, and that it will continue to go up unless we act now.

Liz Anderson, the Brit Awards' executive producer added her voice to the support, saying she was delighted they could share their "unique position" to "unite millions of people behind a shared environmental vision".