A real difference can be made to environmentally-friendly home design by the issuing of green mortgages, according to the Co-operative Bank.The term green mortgage has no standard definition, but can offer incentives and information for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their property when they embark on DIY projects like kitchen design or insulation work.As a leader in ethical banking products, the Co-operative Bank has advocated green mortgages that can both involve the pledge of support to environmental organisations by the mortgage provider, and advice on green improvements by the home-owner.A spokesperson for the Co-operative Bank said that for green mortgage-based house purchases, customers can receive a free Home Energy Report with their valuation, which provides advice on making their home more energy efficient.Highlighting the newfound popularity of green initiatives, she continued Our mortgages are extremely competitive within the marketplace and regularly feature in best buy tables. The Co-operative bank pledges to match environmental obligations on the house-buyer, promising to make its own donations to organisations like Climate Care for every mortgage issued.