Toyota South Africa Sustainability Report 2008 - Automotiveonline ...

Sustainability Report_14-10-2008:Layout 1 10/14/08 2:44 PM Page 11
Environmental Aspects
TOYOTA EARTH CHARTER
I. BASIC POLICY II. ACTION GUIDELINES
1. Contribution toward a prosperous 21 st century society 1. Always be concerned about the environment
Contribute toward a prosperous 21 st century society. Aim for growth that is in
Take on the challenge of achieving zero emissions at all stages, i.e., production,
harmony with the environment, and set as a challenge the achievement of zero
utilisation and disposal
emissions throughout all areas of business activities.
(1) Develop and provide products with top-level environmental performance
2. Pursuit of environmental technologies (2) Pursue production activities that do not generate waste
Pursue all possible environmental technologies, developing and establishing new
(3) Implement thorough preventive measures
technologies to enable the environment and economy to coexist harmoniously.
(4) Promote businesses that contribute toward environmental improvement
3. Voluntary actions 2. Business partners are partners in creating a better environment
Develop a voluntary improvement plan, based on thorough preventive measures
Cooperate with associated companies
and compliance with laws, that addresses environmental issues on the global, 3. As a member of society
national, and regional scales, and promotes continuous implementation.
Actively participate in social actions
4.Working in cooperation with society
(1) Participate in the creation of a recycling-based society
Build close and cooperative relationships with a wide spectrum of individuals
(2) Support government environmental policies
and organisations involved in environmental preservation including governments,
(3) Contribute also to non-profit activities
local municipalities, related companies and industries.
4. Toward better understanding
Actively disclose information and promote environmental awareness
III. ORGANISATION IN CHARGE Toyota South Africa Environmental Commitee (see page 9)
Key Risks
Four key areas of performance guide Toyota South Africa’s environmental efforts, based
on the associated risks and opportunities. These are energy use and global warming,
resource efficiency, use of substances of concern (SoC) and atmospheric quality.
Within these four themes, the environmental issues that are key to Toyota’s success are
water, waste and energy management, including carbon emissions, and volatile organic
compound (VOC) management.
Precautionary Principle
The environmental framework established by Toyota Motor Corporation, and carried
through to operations at Toyota South Africa translates the precautionary principle into
practical measures. Agenda 21 states that where there are threats of serious or
irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for
postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. We have
embedded this principle throughout the lifecycle of our vehicles.
Toyota has a unique culture that places emphasis on preventative measures, Kaizen
(continuous improvement) and problem solving. Our focus is on minimising risks across
the full scope of strategy, technology, manufacturing, research and development,
environment and social risks. For example, the Dealer Environmental Risk Audit
Programme (DERAP) established five fundamental requirements for dealers, who are then
audited against these.
The precautionary approach is also emphasised through risk abatement; minimising
environmental risks is one of the action items in the 4 th Toyota Environmental Action
Plan, including the Eco-Factory programme.
The precautionary approach is evident in our manufacturing drive. Plants are being
designed and built to be sustainable, through employing natural energy sources such as
solar power, and through environmental preservation by planting greenery around
production sites. Energy conservation and resource saving activities are also being
implemented, so that production plants can continue sustainable operations for at least
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