Environmental Strategy

Respect for the Planet is one of Toyota Motor North America’s core values. We demonstrate this value by striving to go beyond zero environmental impact, to creating a net positive impact for society and the planet.

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Environmental Sustainability Focus Areas

At TMNA, we focus our efforts on four priority issues – Carbon, Water, Materials and Biodiversity – that span the vehicle life cycle and align with Toyota's corporate global environmental strategy. We also engage in outreach activities to promote awareness, develop strategic partnerships and share know-how, all to help build a more sustainable future. The vehicle life cycle is shown below, along with descriptions of our focus areas. 

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  • Purchasing renewable electricity
  • Switching trucks and other transport to low carbon powertrains
  • Encouraging suppliers and dealers to reduce CO₂ emissions
  • Offering a portfolio of lower and zero carbon vehicles
  • Reducing the amount of water we use in production processes
  • Encouraging suppliers and dealers to reduce their water use
  • Working with nonprofit organizations to conserve water and educate people about water issues
  • Using sustainable materials in vehicle parts
  • Reducing waste generation and increasing recycling
  • Managing chemicals safely and finding suitable alternatives
  • Encouraging suppliers and dealers to reduce their waste and recycle more
  • Planting pollinator gardens and native species on our sites
  • Working with suppliers and dealers to develop pollinator habitat
  • Partnering with nonprofit organizations to expand pollinator habitat and educate the public about biodiversity

MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP

“We remain committed to positively contributing to society, finding new ways to grow sustainably and reducing Toyota’s environmental footprint. Environmental sustainability is a core part of our DNA. We will continue to innovate and continuously improve to help build a better, smarter and more sustainable future for all. Please join us and let’s make a better planet”. –Ted Ogawa

Environmental Sustainability Governance

TMNA’s Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs (SRA) division handles Product Environmental and Safety Regulation, Energy and Climate Research, Environmental Sustainability, Enterprise Chemical Management, and Engine Certification and Compliance.¹ The Environmental Sustainability (ES) group of SRA is responsible for developing short-, medium- and long-term sustainability strategies for TMNA, including planning and target setting in alignment with the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, which includes developing consolidated five-year environmental action plan goals and targets. ES is also responsible for developing the annual North American Environmental Report. ES reports progress on these activities to the North American Executive Committee (NAEC).

 

ES facilitates an Environmental Working Group as a coordinating mechanism for TMNA. The group is comprised of environmental experts and representatives from various divisions:

 

• Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs

• Research and Development

• Procurement

• Corporate Communications

• Compliance and Audit

• Logistics

• Enterprise Strategy

• Real Estate Property Services

• Environmental & Facilities

• Legal

• Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI)

• Parts Supply Chain Operations

• Manufacturing Engineering Division

Representatives from these divisions also participate in focus groups that concentrate on specific environmental issues, such as water or biodiversity. These focus groups report to the Environmental Sustainability Working Group and help implement environmental action plan targets, perform benchmarking and data gathering activities, and raise awareness among team members and external stakeholders.

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¹ Separately, TMNA’s Environmental & Facilities (E&F) division handles facility environmental and safety regulatory compliance.