Toyota Motor North America has released its 2024 North American Environmental Sustainability Report, showcasing the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This report underlines Toyota’s dedication to continuous improvement and ambitious sustainability goals, aiming not only for carbon neutrality but also for enhanced collaboration and data-driven environmental management.
Kevin Butt, regional environmental sustainability director at Toyota Motor North America, emphasized the company’s proactive stance: “Building on Toyota’s foundational principle of continuous improvement, Toyota aims to achieve our environmental sustainability goals – not just becoming carbon neutral – but also the continued collaboration, cooperation, and data management activities as they become standardized for all team members. I’m confident Toyota will be successful, and we look forward to seeing additional growth as we come to further understand the impacts of sustainability.”
The 2024 report details Toyota’s strategic environmental initiatives and their contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on four key areas: Carbon, Water, Circular Economy, and Biodiversity. It provides a comprehensive overview of Toyota’s progress, supported by environmental metrics and aligned with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
Carbon Reduction Initiatives
Toyota is aggressively pursuing carbon footprint reduction, and a significant part of this strategy involves vehicle electrification. Impressively, 77% of Toyota and Lexus models available in North America now offer electrified options, with plans for further expansion. This commitment to electrification is a cornerstone of Toyota’s approach to a more sustainable automotive future. In terms of operational emissions, Toyota has achieved a 14% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to Fiscal Year 2019. Furthermore, Toyota’s Dealer Environmental Excellence Program (D.E.E.P.) plays a vital role in extending sustainability efforts to its dealer network. As of FY2024, 74 dealers are actively participating in D.E.E.P., contributing to environmental improvements within their operations and achieving a 20% reduction in electricity consumption from non-renewable sources among participating dealerships.
Water Stewardship
Recognizing the critical importance of water conservation, Toyota is dedicated to responsible water management. The 2024 report highlights a 6.8% decrease in water withdrawal per vehicle manufactured compared to FY2021. Toyota’s water stewardship approach is rooted in socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial practices. This involves implementing site-specific and watershed-based actions to optimize water usage and minimize environmental impact.
Circular Economy and Waste Reduction
Toyota is making significant strides in transitioning towards a circular economy. In 2023, the company achieved a remarkable 93% rate of recycling, reuse, or repurposing of all waste generated. Complementing this, Toyota has also focused on reducing single-use packaging materials, achieving a 9% reduction in FY2024, and bringing the total reduction to 22% compared to FY2018. These efforts underscore Toyota’s commitment to minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization throughout its operations.
Biodiversity Preservation
Toyota’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends to biodiversity preservation. While the report provides an overview of Toyota’s biodiversity initiatives, detailed progress and real-time updates can be found on Toyota’s Environmental Sustainability website. This online resource offers a dynamic view of Toyota’s agreements, announcements, and ongoing projects in this crucial area.
Looking Ahead
Toyota’s 2024 North American Environmental Sustainability Report reinforces the company’s unwavering global commitment to the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. Through strategic investments, collaborative partnerships, and a phased approach, Toyota is confident in its trajectory towards achieving its aspirations across its four key focus areas. The report emphasizes the critical role of collaboration in addressing climate change and developing sustainable solutions. By integrating diverse technologies and strategies and working with partners across industries, Toyota aims to minimize its environmental impact while advancing mobility for all, demonstrating the power of collective action in reaching ambitious sustainability targets.
For a comprehensive view of Toyota’s environmental performance and to explore the full 2024 North American Environmental Sustainability Report, please visit Toyota’s Environmental Sustainability Website.
