McDonalds to go green

McDonalds has decided to go green - at least with its logo. At German branches of the fast-food chain, the famous golden arches will be emblazoned on a green background, rather than its usual red.

With the crunch climate change summit in Copenhagen fast approaching, even McDonalds has decided to go green at least with its logo, a senior executive said on Monday.

At German branches of the US fast-food chain, the famous golden arches will be emblazoned on a green background, rather than its usual red, McDonalds Germany vice-president Holger Beeck said. The change will be made on all new and refitted restaurants "out of respect for the environment," Beeck told the Financial Times Deutschland.

The instantly recognisable logo is the world's sixth most valuable brand, according to a 2009 report by Interbrand consultancy, behind only Coca-cola, IBM, Microsoft, General Electric and Nokia. A study earlier this month showed that McDonalds was the most popular brand for Germans between the ages of 12 and 18.

The December 7-18 Copenhagen talks are aimed at agreeing an international pact to cut carbon emissions and providing money to poorer nations to transfer green technology and help them cope with the ravages of climate change.

McDonalds has in the past come under fire from environmental groups on several fronts, including its use of packaging and deforestation. However, environmental campaigners Greenpeace have also praised the company for efforts to be more environmentally friendly, including introducing refrigerators without harmful chlorofluorocarbons.