Our challenge 

By 2020 it is estimated that there will be as many as 1.5 billion cars on roads, almost twice the current number. This rise in car ownership will take place in Europe, particularly in emerging markets.  

World Vehicle Ownership

Source: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc

While this trend offers freedom of mobility for millions of people, it also presents some serious environmental challenges, both in terms of sustainable mobility and protecting our planet for generations to come.

In addressing these challenges, we adopt a 360º approach; one that pushes us towards a long-term vision of zero emissions and zero waste at each stage of a vehicle’s life cycle, across all aspects of the business.

Challenge 1: Tackling global warming

Burning fossil fuels causes greenhouse gases, which influence the composition of the atmosphere and affect weather patterns around the globe. 

We accept the scientific evidence cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which points to the fact that global warming is taking place, and that the increase in emissions of human-induced greenhouse gases, like CO2, is the likely cause.

The transport sector currently generates almost one quarter of all CO2 emissions in Europe. For mobility to be sustainable and to protect our planet for future generations, we must focus on reducing the environmental burdens linked to the production, use and disposal of vehicles.

Challenge 2: Diversifying energy

Ensuring that we have an adequate supply of energy is essential for future economic and social development.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)estimates that demand for energy could double, perhaps even triple, in the coming decades.

Strong efforts must be made to ensure that energy generated from oil, in particular, is used more efficiently, and that alternatives to fossil fuels, like biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen, which also promise to lower or eliminate harmful emissions, are developed for transport.

Challenge 3: Improving air quality

When an engine burns fossil fuels, exhaust emissions which contain particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other pollutants, are produced.

Diesel vehicles emit higher quantities of PM and NOx compared to their petrol equivalents. Unless managed properly, these emissions contribute to air pollution, or smog, particularly in built-up urban areas, and can impact people’s respiratory health. 

Other emissions affecting air quality, like those from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are also generated during production – when painting vehicles, for example. VOCs can react in the atmosphere to form ground level ozone, a primary component of smog.

Challenge 4: Improving recycling & resource efficiency

In protecting our planet, we must help preserve its natural resources.
Not only do we have to recycle, but we also need to incorporate more renewable resources, as well as use natural resources more efficiently.

According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development , less than 3% of the world’s water is fresh and in 60% of European cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, groundwater is being used faster than it can be replenished.

The automotive industry has a responsibility to contribute by saving water but also by supporting the EU’s waste hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). It should also focus its efforts on “closed loop recycling” – the idea of recycling materials so as to limit reliance on, and use of, virgin materials.

Challenge 5: Eliminating Substances of Concern (SOCs)

Substances of concern (SOCs), like lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, are heavy metals that can cause long-term damage to the environment if buried unprocessed in landfill. Importantly, vehicles become increasingly easier to recycle as SOCs are phased out and eventually eliminated from the production process. 

Toyota continues to work with business partners to ensure that the whole supply chain understands the duties and responsibilities involved under the new EU regulation, REACH (Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals).

In 2007, Toyota Motor Europe initiated an internal process across its network to guarantee compliance with REACH as it becomes effective.