Over the next few years the European Union will be considering two pieces of climate change legislation. One sets a limit on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that new cars can emit. The other proposes cutting Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020.

The most polluting industries, including the car industry, are fighting hard to water down these proposals. They’ve persuaded the powerful German government to oppose both laws.

Volkswagen is the largest car company in Europe and a major influence on the German government. They’re at the heart of this lobbying campaign.

We’ve got to counteract their dodgy lobbying and persuade politicians to support tough but necessary action to stop climate change.

GREENPEACE WANTS VW TO:

1. SUPPORT STRONG CO2 EMISSIONS CUTS.

   Despite its green image, Volkswagen is spending millions of Euros every year funding lobby groups who are trying to stop Europe increasing its commitment to greenhouse gas reductions from 20% to 30% by 2020. Progressive companies – from Google to Ikea, Sony, Unilever and Philips – support the target. Volkswagen can’t afford to be left behind.

2. SUPPORT STRONG FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS.

   More efficient cars are cheaper to run, use less oil and emit less CO2. Volkswagen has a history of lobbying against the strong European car efficiency standards that we need to kick our oil addiction. As the biggest car company in Europe, with the biggest responsibility, VW must change and support strong standards from now on.

3. PUT YOUR TECHNOLOGY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.

   Volkswagen says it wants to be “the most eco-friendly automaker in the world”, but only 6% of the cars it sold in 2010 were its most efficient models. It has the technology to do better. VW must set out its plan to make its entire fleet oil-free by 2040.

You’ve got two weeks to make a 60 second subvert which cuts through the greenwash and exposes the real Volkswagen.

Your film doesn’t have to look like a car advert, but it should play on Volkswagen’s marketing and advertising. Here are a few slogans – some old, some new - to get you started:

• Volkswagen. Think Blue.
• Volkswagen. Das Auto.
• Volkswagen. Think Small.

The winning film will be a clever and witty communication that engages the audience while getting our message across.

Your film must not use any dialogue – even off-screen or voice-over – because we’ll be putting all the films on our website where they’ll be seen by people around the world. You can use on-screen text and captions, but please keep this to a minimum.

Want some inspiration? Check out some of these Volkswagen adverts:

• The Force
• Think Blue: Symphony

1. The closing date for all entries is Midnight (GMT) on 2 October 2011.

2. Films should be sixty seconds long. Films which are significantly longer than sixty seconds may be disqualified.

3. Films can be shot in any format and aspect ratio. You can use any style, including animation, live-action, stop-motion, computer animation, etc.

4. Films must be uploaded to Vimeo and accompanied by a completed entry form. Entry forms must be filled out online and are available at www.greenpeace.org.uk/filmcompetition.

5. We can't accept any other forms of entries.

6. Films must reflect Greenpeace values, particularly that of non violence. Any entries which are deemed to be offensive may be disqualified.

7. The judging panel will be looking for ideas and creativity, not artistic excellence or technical brilliance. They’ll be looking for the film which best meets the brief.

8. The winner, selected by our judging panel, will work with Greenpeace campaigners to make a campaign film. They’ll be given a budget of £5,000, and the film will be used to support our campaigns.

9. The judges’ decision is final.

10. Our favourite films will be shown at a special screening at the Curzon Soho in November. The makers of those films will be invited to attend. Greenpeace will endeavour to pay reasonable travel expenses so that you can attend the screening.

11. The winner of the overall prize will be announced at the screening. The winner will be notified by phone prior to the screening.

12. You still own the rights to your film, but by entering the competition, you give Greenpeace permission to show your film on our website, in campaign and publicity materials and in exhibitions, for all purposes.

13. Greenpeace will indemnify you against any legal claim arising from Greenpeace's use of your film provided that you do not agree to settle any claim, or threatened claim, without prior permission in writing from Greenpeace.

14. You can't enter if you are an employee or immediate relative of any employee of Greenpeace.

15. Greenpeace does not accept responsibility for entry forms which are lost.

16. The competition winners accept the prizes at their own risk. Greenpeace does not accept liability for expenses, personal injury, damage theft or loss incurred in connection with the prize won.

17. Greenpeace reserves the right to cancel or alter or amend the competition at any stage if deemed necessary in its opinion and entirely at its own discretion, or if circumstances arise outside its control.

18. The competition is governed by the laws of England and Wales.