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Marking the ‘World Environment Day’, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced the kick-off of its 'Toyota Environment Month', a dedicated month (June 2024) to further foster eco-consciousness and advocating for a greener, sustainable future. Through a spectrum of initiatives intricately woven into its long-term vision encapsulated by the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 (TEC 2050) and this year’s theme "Unite for Responsible Resource Consumption towards becoming Global No.1", the company aims to ignite awareness and action towards environmental stewardship with a key focus on water management and natural ecosystem revival with afforestation. This resonates strongly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) theme for World Environment Day 2024, which underscores the critical issues of Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience, enfolded by the slogan "Our Land, Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration".
Over the years, TKM has consciously adopted sustainable business practices and transforming from a carmaker to a mobility company. Keeping with its principle of ‘Respect for the Planet’, Toyota globally announced the ‘Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050’ (TEC 2050) in October 2015, comprising six environmental challenges. The first set of 3 challenges focuses on achieving carbon neutrality from our products, and its entire value chain including the manufacturing activities. The latter 3 challenges aim to create a net positive impact by minimizing and optimizing water usage, enabling a recycled-based society, and establishing a future society in ‘Harmony with Nature’.
With a goal of managing our resources responsibly, TKM has adopted a holistic approach and is actively engaging in various sustainable initiatives. The company has achieved significant milestones including a remarkable rise in groundwater level which is at 16.1 feet post monsoon FY 2022-23 (from 90ft in 2009), rainwater harvesting ponds with 51,000 m3 capacity for manufacturing and non-manufacturing applications. 95% of the water requirement for production is met through recycled and rainwater harvesting. Further, TKM is promoting a recycling-based society with enhanced recyclability of waste upto 96%.
As stewards of the environment, the company has taken significant steps in nature conservation. Over the years, TKM has planted over 328,000 trees across 112 acres within its factory premises using the Miyawaki concept. This focuses towards restoring and reconstructing the forests based on the concept of “Potential Natural Vegetation”, and this very application has helped in creating a ‘Natural Forest’, within the premises of TKM, by planting native species to create biodiversity and aid food chain and ecology.
To further amplify the efforts in restoring the native biodiversity, TKM has established a state-of-the-art ‘Ecozone’, an experiential learning centre with 17 theme parks located at TKM’s plant facility, which continues to contribute through knowledge-sharing on various aspects of nature conservation including climate change, waste-to-value, ecological balance, water resource management and so forth. Thus far, 42,000+ students have been sensitised, imbibing positive behavioural change to live in harmony with nature.
Marking the celebration of the environment month in June, TKM with its enhanced efforts continues to create awareness amongst its stakeholders on water scenario & conservation methods, alongside exclusive eco-webinars conducted by environmental experts. During the eco-driven month, TKM aims to actively engage with local communities through a myriad of eco-activities including plantation drives at school, rejuvenation project for local lake/pond, and clean-up effort aimed at preserving the natural habitats. Activities such as “Toyota Swachh Abhiyan, “RaaR” (Recycling as a Responsibility / e.g., office uniform recycling), Toyota Eco Club, Eco Family Walk (ecozone), etc., are also being planned throughout the month, to promote sustainable lifestyle amongst the stakeholders including employees & their families, business associates, members of Toyota group companies, school children and community members in and around Bidadi and Ramnagara regions.
Speaking about TKM’s Environment Month celebration, Mr. B. Padmanabha, Executive Vice President & Director of Manufacturing - Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we recognize that environmental and social sustainability is just as crucial as the economic progression. We are fully committed to the six environmental challenges that Toyota is trying to address globally. Our focus is not just products & our manufacturing operations but the entire value chain, while also giving back to the communities where we operate.
By observing Environment Month, we continue to strive, inspire innovation, and drive tangible changes for a better tomorrow. TKM has been steering the eco-friendly journey strongly and the significant milestones of 100% Renewable Energy in grid electricity, using only 5% freshwater for our manufacturing, recycling of 96% of waste, etc. are the testament to it. Under this year’s Environment Month theme “Unite for Responsible Resource Consumption Towards Becoming Global No.1”, together with our stakeholders, we continue to make a significant impact on resource conservation through various eco interventions with a special focus in the areas of water management, land ecosystem revival (plantation drives) and reduction in energy consumption. Globally, our eco-efforts are driven to minimize the environmental footprints in every path that we undertake in a more holistic manner, thereby catalysing positive changes, and creating a happy place to live", he added.
Previously, TKM has been conferred with various accolades/recognitions for its eco commitment in the respective categories, to name a few, TERI Water Sustainability Awards, CII Sustainability Award for Biodiversity, CII Award for Water & Hazardous Waste Management, CII-SR EHS Excellence Awards in Water Management, CII GreenCo Platinum Company’ Award for Environmental Excellence and Sustainable Leadership, etc.
TKM remains committed to its core values of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and innovation. In pursuit of Carbon Neutrality, Toyota remains steadfast in enhancing its clean mobility solutions, adopting multiple vehicle technology pathways including alternate fuels. Stakeholder engagement lies at the heart of TKM’s environmental advocacy. This collaborative spirit is further underscored by TKM’s Environment Management System, which integrates ecologically sound practices across its business ecosystem including its supplier and dealer partners, covering wider spread of eco consciousness, plantation & clean-up drives, ‘No Plastic’ campaign, lowering water usage, reduction of carbon footprints in their operations and so forth. Driven by its strong belief in collaborative action, Toyota extends an open invitation to stakeholders, partners, and individuals passionate about environmental preservation to join hands in their sustainable endeavours, catalysing positive change within the community.
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