Consumers looking to ease their environmental conscience will soon be presented with a solution from Barclaycard, as it prepares to launch a green credit card this summer.

Barclaycard Breathe will only issue online statements, and all advertising for the credit card will also be done online.

When new cards are issued the old ones will go into a recycling scheme. The cards themselves will be made out of PETG, a greener alternative to traditional plastic.

In addition, Breathe cardholders will receive discounts and lower-rate borrowing when they buy certain green energy saving products or services, such as public transport tickets.

Barclaycard also promises to donate 50% of its after-tax profits from Breathe to environmental projects around the world that are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions.

The announcement of the new card coincided with Monday's launch of the "We're in this together" campaign in London.

Made up of eight big companies, which in addition to Barclaycard includes B&Q, British Gas, Marks & Spencer, Sky, Tesco, Royal & Sun Alliance and O2, the campaign aims to help every UK household cut their carbon emissions by one tonne over the next three years.

Barclaycard's chief executive, Antony Jenkins, said: "Barclaycard Breathe makes it easy for people to do their bit in the fight against climate change by offering incentives to make being green easier, and supporting projects around the world that help reduce carbon emissions."