NRMA Insurance has begun a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of Australia’s iconic koalas, by pledging to plant a tree every time it sells a home insurance policy.

The IAG-owned insurer, which warns habitat destruction could wipe out the marsupials by 2050, has also launched a touching new advertising campaign featuring a boy rescuing a koala.

NRMA Insurance aims to plant 60,000 trees across NSW and Queensland, and has also partnered with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA).

“Every home is worth protecting,” the company says. “We're helping koalas because koala habitat is under threat from deforestation, bushfires and climate change.

“Through our partnership, NRMA Insurance and CVA are hoping to restore, increase and maintain known koala habitat; improve habitat connectivity through tree-planting efforts; and increase community engagement and awareness.”

The insurer says planting trees also helps reduce the effects of climate change.

“Climate change is a serious and pressing issue that goes to the heart of our purpose to make your world a safer place,” it says in a statement.

“We are committed to taking steps to address this complex issue through ongoing action to mitigate its worst effects.”

NRMA’s parent company IAG published a climate change action plan last year.