FEATURE:
Contributing to The United Nations 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.
That’s why, 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.”4 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.
At Toyota, we are committed to doing our part. The Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 supports seven of the SDGs and shares their fundamental mission – 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.
Our environmental activities are about evolution – incremental, steady steps forward.
They’re also about innovation – finding new and creative ways to make change.
They’re about sharing our expertise to help others and maximize positive outcomes.
And most of all, they’re about doing. Our 36,000 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.
4 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".
To find out more about the 17 UN SDGs, visit the UN’s Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
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 by our environmental sustainability focus areas of Carbon, Water, Materials and Biodiversity. Our long-term strategies in each of these focus areas, supported by our outreach activities, show the steps we're taking to address the world’s pressing environmental problems and become part of the solution.
Here in North America, we believe environmental sustainability activities undertaken within our four focus areas can make significant contributions to seven of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:
CARBON
Find out more about how our activities contribute to meeting Sustainable Development Goals 7, 11 and 13 by following the links below and by visiting Carbon – An Overview.
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 even more crucial. 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 7: Affordable & Clean Energy |
TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 7.2 Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | • Carbon Targets: Operations CO2 Emissions Challenge • Clean Assist Program • Renewable Energy • Feature: Building for the Future |
| Target 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | • Carbon Targets: Operations CO2 Emissions Challenge • Operations CO2 Emissions • Life Cycle CO2 Emissions |
| Target 7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology | • Carbon Targets: Vehicle CO2 Emissions Challenge • Zero-Emissions Trucking |
SDG 11: MAKE CITIES AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS INCLUSIVE, SAFE, RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE
More than half the world's population lives in cities. Air pollution is a major concern in cities, and many people living in cities breathe air that does not meet the air quality standards set by the World Health Organization. Through the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, we recognize our role in the development of sustainable transport and in reducing the environmental impacts of driving, especially in urban communities.
Here in North America, we are supporting infrastructure development for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, which emit no pollutants – only water. Toyota Mirai is our first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, on the market in California, Quebec and British Columbia. We also delivered 10 hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks for operation at the Port of Los Angeles. The promise of zero-emission vehicles is fulfilled only when the fuel these vehicles use is created in a way that doesn’t generate emissions. That's why we plan to use 100 percent renewable hydrogen fuel produced from biogas.
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities | TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | • Carbon Targets: Vehicle CO2 Emissions Challenge • Vehicle CO2 Emissions • Air Quality • Zero-Emissions Trucking • Feature: Electric Avenue |
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, facilities and logistics operations, and supply chain, all by 2050.
Here in North America, we are working towards improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions from new vehicles by planning to offer electrified versions of Toyota and Lexus models by around 2025. We are also 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.
| SDG 13: Climate Action | TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning | • Carbon/Targets • Vehicle CO2 Emissions • Operations CO2 Emissions • Life Cycle CO2 Emissions • Feature: Electric Avenue • Feature: Building for the Future |
WATER
SDG 6: CLEAN WATER & 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 and working to limit the levels of pollutants in our wastewater discharge to below permit requirements
.
Find out more about how our activities contribute to meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation by following the links below and by visiting Water – An Overview:
| SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation | TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally | • Protecting Water Resources |
| Target 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity | • Water Target • Conserving Water |
| Target 6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes | • Huron River Watershed Council Impact Grant • National Environmental Education Foundation |
| Target 6b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management | • Raising Community Awareness • Huron River Watershed Council Impact Grant • Wyland Foundation |
MATERIALS
SDG 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & 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.
Find out more about how our activities contribute to meeting Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production by following the links below and by visiting the Materials Education Page.
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production | TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | • Conserving Natural Resources |
| Target 12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | • Conserving Natural Resources • Eliminating Waste |
| Target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse | • Materials Target • Eliminating Waste • Supporting Community Recycling |
| Target 12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle | • Toyota North American Environmental Report |
| Target 12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature | • Supporting Community Recycling • Raising Water Awareness • Sharing Conservation Know-How • Wyland Foundation |
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 21,000 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 educate both our team members and communities about the importance of biodiversity.
Find out more about how our activities contribute to meeting Sustainable Development Goal 15 on Life on Land by following the links below and by visiting the Biodiversity Education Page.
| SDG 15: Life on Land | TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | • Restoring Habitats • National Environmental Education Foundation • World Wildlife Fund |
| Target 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally | • Tree Planting Activities • National Environmental Education Foundation |
| Target 15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | • Biodiversity Target • Protecting Species • SP Pollinator Project Challenge • National Environmental Education Foundation • World Wildlife Fund • Wyland Foundation |
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.
Find out more about how our activities contribute to meeting Sustainable Development Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals by following the links below.
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | TMNA Environmental Report Links |
| Target 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships data, monitoring and accountability |
• Huron River Watershed Council Impact Grant • SP Pollinator Challenge |
Kevin Butt
Senior Director, Environmental Sustainability
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
