Established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly,
the Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of interlinked global objectives
designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”
That same year, Toyota announced its Environmental Challenge 2050.
We have seen this with many corporations that have actually stepped out of line
in a very positive way and brought about change.
Those are the kind of examples to look up to.
We want to go beyond eliminating environmental impacts
and instead create net positive impacts on the planet and society.
In Toyota's case, we block out 5 year milestones
and are building a path toward achievement of that vision.
In North America, Toyota's environmental activities are designed
around four important focus areas –
achieving carbon neutrality, conserving water, reducing waste, and protecting biodiversity.
The 7th Action Plan puts out the groundwork for us to continue to push ourselves to
really make change within these next 5 years, but with that same look at
what's going to happen by 2025,
what’s going to happen by 2030, so we need to continue to make these steps.
So the 7th Action Plan is that guiding principle that keeps us moving in this direction.
Toyota has a vision to achieve
carbon neutrality through a wide range of zero- emissions vehicles.
There are rural consumers, there are urban consumers, different access to garages
and charging and hydrogen infrastructure and the rest, so how do we put a
portfolio of products out there that can meet the needs of the broadest array of consumers,
and deliver the best benefit for CO2 reduction.
We have a broad range of vehicles the consumers are looking for and to have
global auto shows back on the market, it’s a great way to
introduce our new vehicles and new technologies to consumers around the world.
We were really excited to introduce the bZ-4X which is our re-entry into a
full-battery electric market.
The science is very clear, CO2 and Greenhouse gas are impacting the environment.
but still meet the needs of consumers today and tomorrow.
Toyota Mirai is the company’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle on the market
and charging and hydrogen infrastructure and the rest, so how do we put a
in California, Quebec and British Columbia.
Challenge 2: Handle Life Cycle Zero CO2 Emissions
Toyota is really a family and as Toyota continues to provide a lot of leadership
on creating sustainable transportation and innovative ways to solve some of the
problems that are facing society,
it’s really important that the dealer networks aligned with that vision.
Toyota also announced the delivery of ten hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks
for operation at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The amount of diesel fuel that would be reduced if every one of those trucks was a
fuel cell with the only emissions coming out of it was water - That would be
an incredible benefit to society.
That’s what separates the entities that are serious about it such as Toyota,
where their emphasis is on - Let’s do it the right way, that will not only protect
what's occurring now, but for future generations also.
Challenge 3: To Create Plant Zero CO2
Toyota has a strong record of innovation to help reduce the impact of our vehicles
and our manufacturing operations on our environment. More specifically, reducing
C02 emissions by 25% by 2025, and this is from our baseline in 2014.
Challenge 4: Minimizing and Optimizing Water Usage
Water is a precious and finite resource critical to the survival of the planet.
Using various tools, for instance from the World Resource Institute, we have analyzed
our sites to understand where we have areas of high-water stress.
Challenge 5: Establishing a Recycling-Based Society and Systems
We continue to develop and commercialize technologies that enable the use of
sustainable materials in a range of components and applications.
Challenge 6: Establishing a Future Society in Harmony with Nature
Toyota has been a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council since 1999.
Over time we develop a more strategic approach with the company
to align their activities with conservation priorities that are meaningful,
investing in nature in a way that’s going to have success for that operation,
but also for the habitat and the species that it depends on.
We realized that there’s also an opportunity given where Toyota is located throughout
North America to help a migratory species, the Monarch Butterfly.
Toyota is one of the biggest companies in the world, and we should show other
corporations and organizations having a positive impact in these spaces matters,
and encourage them to get involved.
Every division across Toyota can really get involved in the 7th Environmental Action Plan.
This creates brand value for Toyota and good will in communities.
I’ve been able to go to Japan and tour those plants, as well as understand
their energy reduction projects.
I’ve been here since 2006 and I’ve seen all the improvements that we’ve done
to help reduce energy usage throughout our site, as well as globally.
When it comes to our region in Baja we achieve and exceed all the environmental
regulations that the city and the state have, creating the awareness of the importance
of these energy reduction projects not only in our plant but also in our community,
reducing the carbon footprint.
One of the great things about our partnership with Toyota is to bring the
Toyota employees into our work: Engage in National Public Lands Day and
learn about Toyota’s commitment to these goals in a real hands-on way.
Check out the website that you see on the screen
and you can learn more about what you can do in your day-to-day activities.
We all have a part to play in saving the planet.
It makes the most economic sense.
It makes sense for us as a people to be able to live in an environment that benefits everybody
including the wildlife and the species, the air and the water. That's what this is all about.
From its North American manufacturing plants, to the roughly one million
Toyota and Lexus vehicles assembled in the US, Toyota is investing and advancing
toward a brighter tomorrow.
One that is practical and sustainable.
Let’s make a better planet.