Toyota 2008 Annual Report Download - page 28

26 TOYOTA •Annual Report 2008 •
Special Feature—Sustainability in Three Areas
The Toyota Environmental Committee was established in 1992. In 1993, it
announced the Toyota Environmental Action Plan, which defined specific
measures and targets for environmental action. Since then, we have
continued to implement environmental and energy-related initiatives,
including measures to reduce CO2emissions. We are currently conducting
activities in line with the 4th Toyota Environmental Action Plan to meet targets
set for the year ending March 31, 2011. In fact, we have already achieved the
CO2emissions reduction target outlined in the plan and are now working to
meet a new, even higher target for the year ending March 31, 2011.
Toyota conducts its “Sustainable Plant” activities globally on three broad
fronts. The first is energy reduction through the development and
introduction of low CO2-emitting production technologies and daily Kaizen
(continuous improvement) activities. The second is energy conversion
utilizing photovoltaic and other renewable energy sources. The third is tree-
planting to foster involvement with local communities and ecological
preservation.
“Sustainable Plant” Activities
CO2Emission Reduction Results and Targets
Toyota’s Takaoka Plant is one example
of how “simple & slim” thinking can
streamline manufacturing operations.
We have been working to shorten our
assembly lines and dramatically reduce
their energy use by taking advantage of
innovative production technologies. The
new Takaoka Plant Line No. 1 began
operations in August 2007. Here, we have
achieved CO2reductions of
approximately 15% by shortening the
length of the painting equipment and
eliminating the need for the primer-
drying oven. We continue to improve
these innovative assembly lines to further
reduce CO2emissions and costs as we
introduce the improvements at all Toyota
plants worldwide.
Development and Introduction of Low CO2-Emitting Production Technologies
Conventional Booth
New Booth
Sustainability is also being pursued at the plants that drive Toyota’s manufacturing operations. In July 2007,
Toyota initiated “Sustainable Plant” activities with the goal of creating production sites that are in harmony
with their natural surroundings.
Region CO2Emissions 2010 Target 2007 Results New 2010 Target
Worldwide* Volume per 20% reduction 32% reduction 35% reduction
sales unit from 2001 from 2001 from 2001
TMC (Japan) Volume per 35% reduction 55% reduction 60% reduction
sales unit from 1990 from 1990 from 1990
Volume 20% reduction 25% reduction 30% reduction
from 1990 from 1990 from 1990
CO2Emission Reduction Targets, Results and New Targets
* The roughly 120 Toyota Group companies both in Japan and overseas subject to consolidated
environmental management
Note: The years mentioned are from April 1 to March 31.
Example of Reducing CO2Emissions
in Painting Process
Through the development and introduction of slim
robots, Toyota has shortened the length of the
painting process. This has helped to lower CO2
emissions by reducing energy use.
Manufacturing
Implementing “Sustainable Plant” Activities