Honda released its sixth annual report on the company's environmental footprint in North America, and efforts being made to minimize the environmental impact of Honda's operations in the region. The report also includes a detailed review of the various technology approaches that Honda is taking in its efforts to address the issue of global climate change, perhaps the most serious and far-reaching environmental issue facing society today. The 2010 North American Environmental Report, published in electronic format only, can be viewed and downloaded here.
"Despite the severe business conditions of the past year, Honda remains strongly committed to innovation and to the continued development of new products and technologies that minimize our environmental footprint and that help address society's most pressing environmental concerns," said Tetsuo Iwamura, chief operating officer of Honda's North American Regional Operation. "Thanks to the efforts of Honda associates at all levels and in all areas of our operations, we continue to make significant progress in improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and eliminating potentially harmful substances from our products, production operations and sales activities in North America. "
Highlights of the 2010 report include:
- American Honda's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) for model year 2009 (MY2009) rose 1 mpg to 31.3 mpg, a 3.3 percent increase from MY2008 and a 7.2 percent rise from MY2005, outpacing the company's voluntary goal (set in May 2006) to achieve a 5 percent increase over MY2005 CAFE levels by MY2010.
- Waste to landfills from manufacturing activity was reduced 87 percent from the FY2001 baseline and 65 percent from the previous fiscal year, with eight North American plants achieving zero waste to landfill, as Honda moved closer to its goal of achieving zero waste to landfill for all 14 of its plants in the region by April 1, 2011.
- Total energy used in manufacturing was reduced 8 percent from the previous fiscal year, while energy use per automobile produced rose 2.4 percent as a result of lower production volumes.
- Average CO2 emissions per automobile produced rose only 1 percent despite an 8 percent decrease in the volume of automobile production.
- "Intelligent" paint booth technology was implemented on all automobile paint lines in North America, reducing energy used in auto body painting by as much as 25 percent.
- Emissions of volatile organic compounds from auto body painting were reduced 9.8 percent from FY2008 levels to 13.8 grams per square meter, exceeding Honda's target of 20 grams per square meter.
- Two new on-site parts consolidation centers – at the Marysville, Ohio, auto plant and Timmonsville, S.C., all-terrain vehicle (ATV) plant – are estimated to reduce CO2 emissions from supplier parts shipments by nearly 1,300 metric tons annually.
- Honda's North American Purchasing Division launched a Supply Chain Sustainability Initiative to promote actions aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from supplier activity.
- A new port facility in Richmond, Calif., Honda's third west coast port facility, is expected to reduce truck travel by 2.7 million miles annually, cutting CO2 emissions from product distribution by an estimated 4,500 metric tons.
The 2010 North American Environmental Report covers the company's operations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 (FY2010) and utilizes a life cycle assessment (LCA) model to report on the environmental impact of Honda's R&D, manufacturing and sales activities in the North America region, encompassing the United States, Canada and Mexico. The report looks at the environmental performance of the company's automobile, powersports, and power equipment products, its 14 major manufacturing plants operating in North America in FY2010, and the corporate activities of 15 Honda group companies in the region.
