Toyota dealers cut CO2
August 2nd, 2010 by Richard Aucock
TOYOTA has launched a high profile 8-step CO2 reduction plan for all its UK car dealers to follow.
The firm says it could cut CO2 emissions from each Toyota and Lexus dealer by 15 percent a year.
Praise for the 8-step Environmental Plan scheme has already been won from the Carbon Trust, following a 16-dealer pilot scheme last year.
This actually showed 20 percent reductions in electricity and gas use were possible – saving not only 30 tonnes of CO2, but a whole load of money on top!
As part of Toyota’s Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility policy, car dealers will also work with their local communities, by shouting about and explaining their energy saving measures.
Toyota will offer guidance on how best to do this as part of the big new scheme.
Thomas Rosselle, Toyota manager for CSR said: ‘Our centres’ achievements in reducing their carbon footprint will not only be beneficial to them and to Toyota, they will also enable them to share best practice with members of their local community, such as customers, businesses, schools and other community groups.
‘By sharing the knowledge they gain in this way, they can help others to reduce their energy usage and thus achieve even greater carbon emissions savings.’
Toyota dealer green and happy
Nigel Burke, centre principal at trial CO2-cut dealer Somerset County Cars, said: ‘The pilot project has given us the means to visualise our energy usage and where we could make savings.
‘Through staff education, good housekeeping, constant monitoring and modest expenditure on items such as lighting or timers we have significantly reduced our electricity consumption.’
Hugh Jones, director of solutions at the Carbon Trust, said: ‘The pilot programme proved that even simple changes can make a real impact.
‘We look forward to working with the company to build on this success.’
The roll-out of the well-structured 8-Step Environmental Plan is underway now. Each centre will be assessed on its current energy use and, through a targeted energy management and monitoring system, will be helped to reduce electricity and gas consumption.
Workshops will also be held over 2010 and 2011 to promote best practice and sustain energy savings.
If you are a Toyota car dealer, what do you hope to gain from the scheme?
Tags: carbon trust, CO2, csr, environment, green, toyota