Principles and Policies

Contribution towards Sustainable Development

Recently, as business operations become more global, society's expectation of a company's contribution towards sustainable development has increased, and the scope of such expectation has expanded. Toyota has long engaged in business with the idea of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in mind, and it has used internal working groups and other bodies to investigate in-depth means of responding to societal demands. Toyota strongly believes that by putting into practice the spirit of The Guiding Principles at Toyota, the company is fulfilling society's expectation of Toyota. In January 2005, it prepared and distributed an explanation paper called "CSR POLICY: Contribution towards Sustainable Development."

This manual, prepared from the standpoint of how Toyota can contribute to sustainable development, is intended to convey the company's basic policies concerning social responsibility to external stakeholders and to promote accurate understanding among all employees, including employees of consolidated subsidiaries and business partners. Toyota also expects its business partners to support this initiative and act in accordance with it.

Click to view "Guiding Principles at Toyota."

Click to view full text of the "CSR POLICY: Contribution towards Sustainable Development" Pamphlet.

Basic Concepts with Regard to the Environment

To ensure that its products are accepted and well received around the world, Toyota has positioned the environment as a priority management issue and seeks to become a leading company that contributes to the development of a recycling-based society through innovative environmental technologies. In order to achieve this, Toyota has created environmental management systems in all regions around the world and in all areas and is continually promoting measures with goals set at the highest levels in each country and region.

Principles and Policies

The Toyota Earth Charter (adopted in 1992, revised in 2000) is based on the Guiding Principles at Toyota adopted in 1992 (revised in 1997), and it embodies the comprehensive approach to global environmental issues. Based on this Charter, Toyota has made environmental responses a top management priority.

Toyota Earth Charter

I. Basic Policy

1. Contribution toward a prosperous 21st century society: Contribute toward a prosperous 21st century society. Aim for growth that is in harmony with the environment and set as a challenge the achievement of zero emissions throughout all areas of business activities.
2. Pursuit of environmental technologies: Pursue all possible environmental technologies, developing and establishing new technologies to enable the environment and economy to coexist harmoniously.
3. Voluntary actions: Develop a voluntary improvement plan, based on thorough preventive measures and compliance with laws, which addresses environmental issues on the global, national and regional scales and promotes continuous implementation.
4. Working in cooperation with society: Build close and cooperative relationships with a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations involved in environmental preservation, including governments, local municipalities, related companies and industries.

II. Action Guidelines

1. Always be concerned about the environment

Take on the challenge of achieving zero emissions at all stages, i.e., production, utilization and disposal.

(1) Develop and provide products with top-level environmental performance.
(2) Pursue production activities that do not generate waste.
(3) Implement thorough preventive measures.
(4) Promote businesses that contribute toward environmental improvement.

2. Business partners are partners in creating a better environment

Cooperate with associated companies.

3. As a member of society

Actively participate in social actions

(1) Participate in the creation of a recycling-based society.
(2) Support government environmental policies.
(3) Contribute also to non-profit activities.

4. Toward better understanding

Actively disclose information and promote environmental awareness.

III. Organization in Charge

Promotion by the Toyota Environment Committee which consists of top management (chaired by the president).