Greenpeace and motoring organisations go together like environment supremo John Prescott and the English dictionary. But in a remarkable, not to say unholy, alliance, the environmental lobby group has teamed up with the RAC Foundation to help save the planet.

Between them, they are calling on Gordon Brown - still nervously ticking off the days on his calendar before the next threatened petrol stoppage - to conjure up £500m a year to create a special fund aimed at protecting the climate and human health.

They say the so-called Green Fuel Fund should be used to encourage the use of electricity, gas and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. What's more it should aim to harness offshore wind, develop wave-power and spread the use of solar panels.

So far, so good. Until the bit in their joint declaration on petrol prices. Greenpeace says duty should be raised to discourage unnecessary driving - while the RAC insists it should be "stabilised".

Brown should be able to drive a coach and horses through the gap.