TOYOTA PH MAKES SUSTAINABILITY AMONG ‘BEST PRACTICES’
As climate change worsens, it can no longer be business as usual.
The recent COP-26 (26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties) underscored the need for the involvement of governments, businesses, civic groups, even individuals, to slow global warming and climate change.
Sustainability is now a slogan and commitment for many companies.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), a forward-looking company, has made sustainability the hallmark of its manufacturing operations and products.
It has fast-tracked efforts to fight climate change and achieve its sustainability goals. It now aims for carbon neutrality (zero carbon dioxide emissions) by 2035, from previous target of 2050, and wants to increase its net positive impact through initiatives like water optimization, recycling and resource management, biodiversity enhancement.
In 2015, the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 (TEC 2050) was launched to encourage every affiliate to think and act locally to achieve several targets. TMP ensures that everyone in the entire Toyota Value Chain knows the Six Challenges under TEC 2050 and is an active participant and agent of change in the environmental action. From sourcing to production, delivery, and actual use of Toyota vehicles, TMP aims for a green impact in the cycle.
TMP manufacturing now uses renewable energy with the installation of a one-megawatt Solar Array, which will be augmented soon by a 0.5MW array. It uses energy-saving LED and natural lights and inverter air-conditioning. It also ensures oven efficiency.
Water resource management includes wastewater treatment, rainwater harvesting and recycling of treated water. An efficient
waste management is in place and there is a company drive for minimization of single-use plastic.
TMP’s campus tours to promote its HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) Model Line-up expansion also generate public awareness of the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence. HEV battery recycling is also discussed.
The tours have become vehicles for explaining TMP’s innovations and to encourage broader participation in climate action.
Part of TMP’s education campaign are sessions at its in-house Biodiversity Learning Center and the Toyota Environment Education Theater at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna.
TMP participates in community climate change efforts through afforestation and biodiversity promotion. Inside its manufacturing complex in Santa Rosa, Laguna is the 11-hectare Toyota Eco Forest, which has a plant nursery and eco trail. TMP conducts tree-planting at the Batangas Vehicle Center, has adopted forest blocks in Mt. Makiling (Laguna) and Maragondon (Cavite), as well as a mangrove area in Lian, Batangas. Under the All-Toyota Green Wave Project, TMP Network stakeholders participate in nationwide mangrove planting and coastal cleanup activities.
TMP has forged alliances with various sectors to constantly improve its environmental action plans. It has formal partnerships and collaboration agreements
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, environmental non-government organizations, and local communities.
TMP’s effective practices for sustainable resource management serve as models for dealers and suppliers to adopt. Suppliers are expected to use renewable energy in their own operations and to develop sustainable packaging materials. A 100 percent repurchase of materials is encouraged.
All sustainability initiatives assure Toyota customers that when they buy any of Toyota’s HEV vehicles – Corolla Altis HEV and Corolla Cross HEV - it has been made with the utmost concern for the planet. The hybrid automobiles have cut fossil fuel use significantly (they also do not need to be plugged in with their self-charging electric motor system) while assuring smooth, uninterrupted ride. They intelligently do a seamless switch based on speed, acceleration, and driving conditions.
TMP’s good citizenship initiatives support shortterm international sustainable development goals: clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy and responsible consumption and production, among other things.
The shift from traditional to sustainable production has not been painless but TMP is now reaping the fruits of its efforts and beginning to realize that sustainability is actually good for business.