Honda released its eighth annual report on the environmental impact of the company’s operations in North America and its ongoing efforts to minimize that impact by reducing waste, conserving resources, and improving energy efficiency. The Honda 2012 North American Environmental Report covers the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2012. Highlights of the report include:
• Products – the CO2-adjusted fleet-average fuel economy of Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. in model year 2011 rose 0.8 mpg, or 3.2%, to 25.7 mpg, versus the previous model year. This compares to an increase of 0.2 mpg, or 0.4%, to 22.8 mpg for the total U.S. light-duty vehicle fleet during the same period.
• Manufacturing – the CO2 emission intensity of automobile production in North America, at 695 kg/unit, was down 2.0% versus the FY2001 baseline and reduced 4.5% versus year-ago levels, primarily as a result of less carbon-intensive electricity supplies.
• The energy intensity of automobile production – from electricity and natural gas consumption, representing approximately 96% of total energy use – was down 4.4% from the FY2001 baseline but was up 2.7% versus the previous fiscal year.
• Waste to landfills from manufacturing operations was reduced 96.5% from the FY2001 baseline and 57% from the year-ago results to a total of just 1,000 metric tons. Landfill waste per unit of automobile production fell 96.8% from FY2001 baseline levels and 48% from the previous year’s results to just 0.8 kilograms per automobile.
• Global CO2 Targets – Having achieved all but one of its voluntary goals, set in 2006, for a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from both its products and production operations (compared to 2000 levels), Honda in 2011 announced a new target: to reduce CO2 emissions from the in-use stage of its automobile, motorcycle, and power equipment product lines by 30 percent by 2020 (compared to year 2000 levels).
Highlights of the report can be viewed at http://corporate.honda.com/environment/2012-report/. The report is also available for download at the site and at Honda’s U.S. media web site at www.hondanews.com.
