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Toyota taking big steps towards a smaller carbon footprint

21 June 2012 #SMMT News #Sustainability Case studies

Toyota GB has cut its carbon footprint by hundreds of tonnes of CO2 a year by implementing measures to reduce energy consumption. New lighting systems, adjustments to air conditioning performance and changes to operational hours have made substantial reductions in electricity and gas usage.

The company holds an annual ‘Green Month’ to reflect on progress made against targets, engaging all its employees in learning more about the importance of environmental best practice.

In 2010, Toyota was one of the first vehicle manufacturers in the UK to meet the Carbon Trust Standard, having made a 7% reduction in its CO2 emissions. That achievement inspired Toyota GB to set an even more ambitious target: to reduce its 2009 annual combined emissions of 3,873 tonnes of CO2 by 20% by 2013.

An example of the innovative steps taken so far is evident at Toyota’s vehicle import centre at Portbury in Bristol, where LED lighting has been installed in the parking compounds and the workshops, together with a new central lighting control system and a more efficient air conditioning unit. These steps have delivered a 23% cut in CO2 from electricity usage and 17% from gas consumption.

Similar changes have also been adopted at Toyota’s Surrey headquarters, along with lighting sensors in meeting rooms and adjustments to air conditioning temperatures. As a result, CO2 emissions fell by more than 400 tonnes a year in 2011.

Thomas Rosselle, Manager Corporate Planning and CSR, said, “Toyota is world-famous for making cars that are environmentally efficient, but the company has a 360-degree approach to environmental matters that takes in every aspect of its operations. The work we are doing in our offices, workshops and training centres in the UK to achieve big reductions in our carbon emissions demonstrates our commitment to this ethos.”

To find out more about the progressive, forward-thinking work of UK automotive, visit SMMT’s Sustainability Report hub.

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