Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Neeraj Lala, has been elected to the Steering Committee of the Climate Leader’s Coalition (CLC), and confirmed Toyota’s commitment to the group’s new Statement of Ambition released recently.
Mr Lala said as one of the twelve founding members of the CLC, Toyota New Zealand was fully committed to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and to public reporting on its progress to meeting those targets.
“As a founding member we take our election to the Steering Committee seriously,” he says. “I am honoured to build on the legacy of my predecessors and bring some further energy into ensuring this important work continues."
“This is important to Toyota as we continue down the pathway we have been on for many years towards net zero emissions. Our journey to a low carbon future continues to gather momentum as we ensure that we are part of important cross industry groups such as the CLC.”
Joining the Steering Committee of the CLC was an important step for Mr Lala, who believes the automotive industry needs to take a stronger leadership role in the transition to a net zero carbon future.
“At Toyota we are fully committed to reducing emissions from our operations and our vehicle portfolio. We are equally committed to ensuring the transition to low or zero carbon transport options is affordable, accessible and sustainable,” he says.
Toyota’s average new vehicle fleet carbon emissions have fallen from over 185g CO2/km to just over 160g CO2/km in just five years. This has been achieved by a combination of increasing electrified options for customers and producing greater efficiency in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
For Toyota models it forecasts a further reduction in emissions to below 160g CO2/km by the end of the 2022 financial year.
Toyota New Zealand will be working with other CLC members to plan for an equitable transition that avoids leaving New Zealanders behind, while proactively encourages and supports other stakeholders, including suppliers and associated businesses, to act on climate change and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.