tal leadership by maintaining the performance of more than ... - Toyota

Special Story
Herman Van Rompuy
President of the European Council
together with Didier Leroy, President &
CEO of Toyota Motor Europe
"The recent tragic events in Japan showed us how important
global debates on energy are. In the light of these events, I
should like to express my sincere condolences to all those
affected.
Energy, climate change and green growth are major topics for
the European Union. They are of great strategic importance
for the EU and truly linked with its competitiveness.
That is why I have decided to discuss these topics at the
highest political level in the European Council. The choice for
sustainable growth is one of the key pillars of the EU economic
strategy for 2020.
In the fi eld of climate change, the EU has been a pioneer
in developing ambitious climate policies that give the right
incentives to the market. In 2009, ambitious targets were set.
Two of them are binding: reducing greenhouse gas emissions
with 20% by 2020 and increasing the share of renewable
energy in the EU’s energy mix to 20% by 2020. Today these
targets are fully on track. The non-binding target to achieve
20% more energy effi ciency by 2020 is currently not on track.
In order to reach this target, leaders agreed at the European
Council of 4 February 2011 to undertake all necessary
efforts.
The need to tackle climate change in line with the 2°C goes far
beyond 2020. That is why the EU supports a 2050 objective
to lower emissions by 80% to 95% in the context of necessary
reductions by developed countries as a group. The recent
Commission Communication on the low carbon roadmap
Sustainable Development
towards a Low Carbon
Economy in the EU
We are pleased to include this contribution
from Herman Van Rompuy, President of
the European Council, on his thoughts on
what sustainable development in Europe
should entail.
Piet Steel
towards 2050 gives an overview of the challenges at stake and
possible intermediate steps. Further changes of our transport,
our buildings, our households to make them more ‘green’ will
be necessary if we want to achieve this goal.
To create a low carbon and resource-effi cient society, the
necessary investments and market incentives are needed.
That is why leaders agreed at the February European Council
to further promote investment in low carbon technologies and
asked the Commission to table new initiatives on smart grids
and green vehicles. With a view to reducing emissions from
transport, a number of actions have already been taken by
the EU over the last number of years, but an ongoing focus
will be needed.
Companies remain driving forces of the path towards
sustainability. Without their cooperation, targets would remain
just that: targets. However with their cooperation, we can
really reach the goals. I wish to thank Toyota for its support
of European policies. Car industry will remain to play a crucial
role here.
I am deeply convinced that Japan and its citizens will fi nd the
way back towards hope and recovery. The EU remains ready
to give its full support.”
Herman Van Rompuy
President of the European Council
Toyota European Sustainability Report 2011 I Environmental Performance
11