Clooney to become board member of eco firm

George Clooney has been named as an executive board member of a new environmentally-friendly Swiss energy company.

Clooney will sit on the board of the currently-unnamed firm, which is being set up by Swiss billionaire Nicolas Hayek - the chairman of watch company Swatch Group - to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in energy consumption.

However, Hayek admits he wasn't sure whether to invite Clooney or former US Vice-President Al Gore to join him in his new venture.

Hayek decided on Clooney because it remains unclear whether Gore will run as a candidate in next year's US presidential election, and the mogul was worried the former Vice President and Oscar winner wouldn't have the time for his eco-energy firm.