Contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

So much needs to be done to solve the critical environmental issues facing the global community – climate change, water scarcity, resource depletion and habitat loss, to name the big ones.

In September of 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 SDGs and their corresponding 169 targets run from 2016 through 2030 and in that time, seek to “free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet.”¹ This may sound like an unrealistic mission, but the UN goals are actually achievable – if governments, businesses, nonprofits, other organizations and even individuals all do their part.

This year marked the halfway point – we are halfway through the 15-year period for achieving the SDGs. The pandemic put to a grinding halt many of the advances that were being made, and now, there is a lot of catching up to do.

At TMNA, we share the fundamental mission of the SDGs – to make the world better, safer and healthier. Achieving the SDGs and the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 will take careful planning. And it will take time. We won’t see progress on this massive scale overnight. Nonetheless, we do remain committed to acting, and even to picking up the pace.

More than 46,000 North American team members are on board as well as suppliers, dealers and other partners. Together, we are ready to make great things happen on our journey towards a more sustainable future.

To find out more about the 17 UN SDGs, visit the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals website.

Toyota's response to the UN SDGs, particularly those addressing environmental issues, is centered around the six far-reaching challenges within the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 (Challenge 2050). Each major region is developing strategies and targets to help the company achieve these challenges. Here in North America, Toyota's activities supporting both Challenge 2050 and the SDGs are organized around our environmental sustainability focus areas of Carbon, Water, Materials and Biodiversity. Our long-term strategies in each of these focus areas, supported by outreach activities, show the steps we're taking to address the world’s pressing environmental problems and become part of the solution.

¹ Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Preamble, A/RES/70/1, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld"

Carbon

SDG 7: Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All

Access to energy is a key driver of economic growth. Given the world's growing population, clean energy is more crucial than ever. Energy storage, whether in second-life batteries or through stationary hydrogen storage, can help set the stage for increasing the share of renewable electricity on the grid. Through the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota recognizes the connection between using clean energy and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

Toyota uses energy to power our manufacturing plants, distribution centers and offices. Our suppliers also use energy to power their facilities. Promoting efficient energy use and renewable energy sourcing are key components of our Carbon strategy.

SDG 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts

The global nature of climate change calls for broad cooperation in developing sustainable, low carbon pathways to the future. Toyota recognizes climate change as a global priority issue and has established three aggressive carbon goals to eliminate CO₂ emissions from our new vehicle fleet, our own operations, and the vehicle life cycle, all by 2050.

Here in North America, we are working towards improving fuel economy and reducing CO₂ emissions from new vehicles by increasing the number of Toyota and Lexus models that are electrified. We are also working towards reducing absolute CO₂ emissions from our facilities and transportation activities and increasing our use of renewable energy. We are partnering with various stakeholders to advance infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles, reduce congestion and develop low carbon fuels. And we are working with suppliers to communicate our goals and help them find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

Water

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Water is a precious and finite resource that is critical to the survival of people and the planet; yet it is often undervalued. Through the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota recognizes water as a global issue that requires a local response.

Some of Toyota's North American sites are in water-stressed areas, and our larger assembly plants use significant volumes of water during vehicle production, particularly in the painting process. To conserve water and improve water quality, we are developing water stewardship plans for our sites located in areas of high water stress.

Materials

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Economic growth and development require the production of goods and services that improve quality of life. But the rapid increase in global consumption of materials has come at a cost to the environment. Sustainable production and consumption patterns are required to minimize natural resource depletion and the use of toxic materials as well as the waste and pollutants generated. Through the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota acknowledges the need to move away from a throw-away society to a recycling-based society.

Here in North America, to promote a circular economy and avoid both depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution from increasing amounts of waste, we focus on increasing reuse and recycling, reducing waste, and enhancing our use of sustainable raw materials.

Biodiversity

SDG 15: Life on Land

Halting biodiversity loss has become a critical endeavor as many species slide towards extinction. To safeguard these species and their habitats, protected areas have been designated around the world. Through the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota recognizes the need to protect species and conserve habitat.

Toyota owns more than 26,000 acres of land in North America and has facilities in or near crucial habitats. Our company believes strongly in working in harmony with nature. To that end, we partner with others to help protect critical habitat and threatened species, certify projects with the Wildlife Habitat Council, and strive to educate both our team members and communities about the importance of biodiversity.

Outreach

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

We recognize that no single entity can achieve the SDGs in isolation. These are shared problems that require a shared response.

The Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 seeks to create net positive impact, which can only be achieved by collaborating with our stakeholders. Through the power of collaboration, we hope to create lasting outcomes on a macro scale that will help us build a more sustainable future.

TMNA supports local, national and regional community projects that align with our environmental sustainability focus areas of Carbon, Water, Materials and Biodiversity. By concentrating our support on organizations that address challenges in these four core areas, we are building on our environmental commitment beyond minimizing negative impacts and helping to promote positive environmental change across the North American region. We share our know-how and collaborate so that we can build more than great cars – we are building a better tomorrow by harnessing the power of collective action.