With a focus on slashing CO2 emissions, reducing waste and water usage, and investing in renewable energy, Honda has implemented a wide range of programs to help reduce the environmental footprint of our manufacturing.
The largest impact of our manufacturing comes from the use of natural gas and electricity that create CO2 emissions. Honda decreases its CO2 generation by reducing energy usage, increasing energy efficiency of processes and using renewable energy. Some examples of these efforts include the installation of LED lighting and lighting controls, replacing aging equipment with more energy efficient equipment, managing usage on weekends and between shifts, and repairing compressed air leaks. In the past year, Honda has decreased its CO2 emissions by 8.8%.
Honda’s goal is to use 100% renewable energy at its manufacturing plants by 2030. Honda has been actively using clean energy since the 2014 installation of two onsite wind turbines at our Ohio transmission plant; they generate 10,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year—or the equivalent of the average yearly energy use of 1,000 homes. Honda also has invested in two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) that will increase our renewable energy credits to reduce 60% of the CO2 emissions from our North American manufacturing sites.
Honda also strives to reduce water and waste generation 22% by 2030. Honda is actively seeking methods to reduce water, such as internally recycling process water. Honda recently reduced its total water use by 10.9%, resulting in the lowest total water used in its manufacturing since 2012.
We see waste generation as an inefficient use of raw materials, so we strive to reuse, recycle and recover raw materials to avoid sending waste to landfills. Honda’s North American manufacturing plants were 98.6% landfill free, with solid waste down 18.5% from one year ago.
Purchasing
To improve the environmental impact of Honda’s extended supply chain, we implemented our global “Green Purchasing” guidelines in 2011. As a result, more than 500 of our suppliers—representing 98% of our total North American direct parts purchasing expenditures—report their CO2 emissions to Honda and are working to reduce them annually.
We also collaborated with 13 other auto manufacturers to develop the Automotive Industry Guiding Principles and Practical Guidance Document to achieve supply chain excellence, innovation and performance in a sustainable manner. The auto industry supply chain has a high degree of complexity, so these guidelines allow us to work together to attain the highest standard when it comes to the environmental performance of our supply chain.
Learn more about our overall efforts here.