Strategic Response
As the risks and opportunities posed by climate change have evolved, so has our approach to the issue. Our long-term strategy is to contribute to climate stabilization by:
- Continuously reducing the GHG emissions and energy usage of our operations
- Developing the flexibility and capability to market more lower-GHG-emissions products in line with evolving market conditions
- Working with industry partners, energy companies, consumer groups and policy makers to establish an effective and predictable market, policy and technological framework for reducing road transport GHG emissions
Operations
We have reduced our global operational energy use by 27 percent since 2000, as described in Operational Energy Use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized our energy conservation efforts with 2006 and 2007 Energy Star Partner of the Year awards, the first time an automaker has won in successive years.
Lower-GHG vehicles
We believe an integrated approach among all relevant stakeholders is needed to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles. Our shorthand for this, and the organizing framework for the discussion, is "Vehicle + Fuel + Driver = GHG emissions." More recently, we have added government to the equation, recognizing the indispensable role of governments in coordinating actions across sectors, providing leadership in areas like infrastructure development to meet transportation demand and creating a harmonized legal and political framework that leverages market forces to lead to the desired result. The developing technologies graphic illustrates the respective roles of vehicle technologies and fuels in driving GHG emissions toward zero.
