GLOBAL SUZUKI

Environmental Initiatives

In order to hand over the beautiful earth and affluent society to the next generations, Suzuki regards consideration to environmental issues such as global warming as one of the most important challenges for our business activities. We are aggressively promoting reduction of environmental impact that may be generated through our R&D, production, physical distribution, marketing and office activities by establishing a group-wide environmental management system, while maintaining good communications with our individual stakeholders.

Suzuki Global Environment Charter

Suzuki Global Environment Charter (Established in 2002 and revised in 2006)

[Environmental Concept]

In order to hand over the beautiful earth and affluent society to the next generations, we must all realize that the actions of each and every one of us have a great effect on our earth’s future, so we must make every effort to preserve our environment.

[Basic Environmental Policies]

  • Strictly observe environmental laws and also follow our own standards.
  • Reduce the pressure placed on the environment resulting from our business activities and products.
  • Maintain and improve upon our environmental management system.
  • Promote environmental communication.

Suzuki Group Environmental Organization

In April 2001, Suzuki established the Suzuki Environmental Committee as the top decision-making body in the environmental management system for the entire Group. Meetings by Suzuki Environmental Committee are held twice a year to determine our environmental policy and long- and mid-term environmental goals, check the progress in the existing issues, and discuss urgent problems. The Management Committee and the Board of Directors discuss and report on important issues such as environmental policy and long- and mid-term environmental targets.

Suzuki Group Environmental Organizational Chart

Response to the TCFD’s recommendations

In April 2020, Suzuki became a signatory to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)* in support of its intent. Along with promoting information disclosure in a manner easily comprehensible to stakeholders, we will work to improve the level of sophistication of our scenario analysis and enhance the content of information to be disclosed in order to further increase our resilience against climate change.

TCFD

*Established in 2015 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), an international organization to ensure the stability of the financial market.

Climate-related risks and opportunities, scenario analysis

Suzuki has been identifying business risks and opportunities to promote business activities in a sustainable manner. Since the impact of climate change, in particular, is intrinsically uncertain, we believe that it is crucial to assess degrees of its impact on risks and opportunities from a broader future perspective and make appropriate response.

Based on this recognition, we have evaluated differences in the impact of climate change on risks and opportunities by using two scenarios. One is the “4°C scenario” in which climate change causes marked physical effects, and the other is the “below 2°C scenario” in which mitigation measures are being implemented at an accelerated pace toward the realization of the Paris Agreement. In assuming these scenarios, we have referred to externally developed scenarios that are based on the scientific knowledge of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and other organizations.

<Climate-related risks and opportunities for Suzuki>

As more stringent regulations, including exhaust gas, CO2 emissions, and fuel efficiency standards, are being adopted as mitigation measures against climate change, the resulting increase in development expenses needed to comply with these regulations may greatly impact Suzuki’s business performance. On the other hand, small cars, which represent a strength of Suzuki, require less materials and energy to manufacture and emit less CO2 while in use. We believe that we can create opportunities by leveraging such a unique strength of Suzuki and by handling risks appropriately.
We will continue to hold careful discussions to reduce or avoid risks caused by climate change, capture opportunities for the future, and increase our competitive edge, and incorporate the outcomes of these discussions into our business strategies.

●List of Suzuki’s climate-related risks and differences in impact by scenario

●Details of particularly significant risks, creation of opportunities, and status of Suzuki’s response

  Risks Opportunities Status of Suzuki’s response
(1)
More stringent CO2 and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles
  • Loss of market share due to being slow in adopting carbon neutral (electrification and other) technologies and making response in terms of costs
  • Increase in investment in development of carbon neutral technologies
  • Increase in investment in production facilities (batteries, etc.) for carbon neutral technologies
  • Payment of fines and loss of sales opportunities due to regulatory non-conformance
  • Maintaining and reinforcing competitiveness and enhancing corporate value through small cars that emit less CO2 throughout their life cycle
  • Capturing sales opportunities by developing electrified vehicles at affordable prices
  • Contributing to sustainable economic development by leading electrification in India and emerging countries
  • Intensively developing electrification technologies, increasing the number of models equipped with a hybrid system, and promoting development of mini and compact EVs
  • Promoting electrification in India (releasing electrified vehicles, investing in a battery plant, etc.)
  • Deepening alliance with Toyota Motor Corporation
(2)
Implementation or reinforcement of carbon tax and other systems
  • Increase in investment in production facilities that implement carbon neutral technologies
  • Increase in operating costs due to carbon tax, emissions trading, carbon border adjustment mechanism, etc.
  • Extending energy-saving technologies that leverage the benefits of “Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi” to Group companies and business partners
  • Contributing to sustainable economic development by leading the use of renewable energy in India and emerging countries
  • Promoting ongoing CO2 reduction measures
  • Creating carbon neutral energy

Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 - Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, Neater –

“Smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter, and neater”: these are the words which Suzuki has been holding since the early 1990s to express the base of manufacturing.
While maximizing the value offered to customers, these words are meant to make things smaller with fewer resources, with lighter weight, in shorter time and distance, and neater as much as possible.
We believe that this “smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter, and neater” concept applies to the initiatives toward tackling global environmental issues including climate change, water shortage, and resource depletion.
On the occasion of the Company’s 100th anniversary, we have set the Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 as a compass toward 2050, in order to “contribute to the society and become a company loved and trusted throughout the world” for the next 100 years.
Based on the “smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter, and neater” concept, Suzuki will aim to realize our ideal future which makes environmental impact from our business activities smaller and fewer, makes environmental load lighter, shortens the time to tackle various environmental issues, and keeps the earth bountiful and beautiful.

Theme Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 Milestone 2030
Climate
change		 CO2 emitted from products ●Reduce CO2 emitted from new automobiles by 90% in Well-to-Wheel base compared to FY2010 by 2050 ●Reduce CO2 emitted from new automobiles by 40% in Well-to-Wheel base compared to FY2010 by 2030
CO2 emitted from business activities ●Reduce CO2 from business activities by 80% in base unit per sales unit compared to FY2016 by 2050 ●Reduce CO2 from business activities by 45% in base unit per sales unit compared to FY2016 by 2030
Air conservation ●Minimize air-polluting substances emitted from business activities and products by 2050 ●By 2030:
  • Reduce use of fossil fuel in business activities and expand use of renewable energies
  • Contribute in improving air-pollution in each country/region by promoting development of clean products
  • Reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) from manufacturing and products
Water resource ●Realize use of sustainable water resources through minimizing load on water environment by 2050 ●Implement reduction of water withdrawal and purification of discharged water at all manufacturing sites through specifying water risks surrounding Suzuki by 2030
Resource circulation ●Promote reduction, recycle, and proper treatment of wastes from manufacturing activities and products through globally expanding recycling technologies and systems developed in Japan by 2050 ●By 2030:
  • Globally expand automobile recycling system
  • Promote recycling, rebuilding, and reusing of secondary (rechargeable) batteries used for propulsion of electric vehicles
  • Mitigate waste discharge amount at global manufacturing sites
  • Reduce plastic packaging materials

●Overall image of Suzuki’s environmental strategy

Suzuki has formulated the Suzuki Environmental Plan every five years to promote environmental initiatives and ensure continuous improvement through the plan-do-check-action (PDCA) cycle.
Toward achieving the Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 and Milestone 2030, we will continue to promote our initiatives by setting short-term targets through backcasting.

Environmental plan

Suzuki Environmental Plan 2020

In order to hand over the beautiful earth and affluent society to the next generations, Suzuki had established and been striving to accomplish “Suzuki Environmental Plan 2015” for environmental conservation activities from FY2012 to FY2015 based on “Suzuki Global Environment Charter”. We then established “Suzuki Environmental Plan 2020” for continuous environmental conservation activities from FY2016 to FY2020 to clearly present the direction and actions of Suzuki’s business operations in relation to environment.

As we reached the final year of the Suzuki Environmental Plan 2020, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of our activities. We were able to achieve most of the plan’s targets, even though some were unachievable due mainly to a decline in production resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We will seek further improvement for items we have achieved and carefully review and reflect on those we have not. Toward the achievement of the new targets specified in the Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 and Milestone 2030, we will carry out operations management and continuous improvement through the PDCA* cycle and promote business activities in a way to reduce environmental impact.

  • *PDCA is a way of making initiatives in a cycle of Plan, Do, Check, and Action. It not only covers planning and doing, but also checking and making actions, thereby enabling to make initiatives by constantly improving through feeding back effects and reflections.

Concrete implementation/target Major implementation in FY2020 Achieved
Control of global warming Improvement in fuel efficiency Realize high fuel efficiency by adopting “SUZUKI GREEN Technology” etc. Raise efficiency by improving the engine and drive system, and adopt new mechanism Automobiles
  • Changed an internal component of the manual transmission in models sold in Europe to improve transmission efficiency, which in turn helped to increase vehicle fuel efficiency.
  • Added the same change to models manufactured in India and similarly achieved better fuel efficiency.
 ✓
Motorcycles
  • New Hayabusa: Reduced the weight of the reciprocating part including pistons and piston pins by 33g.
  • New Hayabusa: Reduced the drive chain weight.
  • New Hayabusa and GSX-S1000: Reduced the weight by adopting an A&S clutch.
 ✓
Outboard motors For the DF140BG and DF115BG, achieved a higher compression ratio and increased thermal efficiency by revising the air intake mechanism and reducing the air intake temperature within the combustion chamber. ✓
Reduce the vehicle body weight by reviewing body structuring parts, changing materials, and reviewing manufacturing methods Automobiles

<Weight reduction of the whole body>

Kept the body weight of the new Solio at 241kg, the same as in the previous model, while increasing its body dimensions (by 80mm in overall length and 20mm in overall width) by optimizing the cross-section shape of the frame, joint structure, and structure for mounting the rear seats and by reducing the number of reinforcing parts. Also reduced the door weight by 70g/unit by using a plastic material for the front door lower sash and by 300g/unit by making the outside mirrors smaller.

<Weight reduction of suspension>

Achieved a weight reduction in the new Solio by adopting the same lightweight, high-rigidity platform used in the previous Solio and XBEE and by optimizing the suspension frame structure.		 ✓
Motorcycles Reduced the weight of the new Hayabusa by 700g by modifying the pipe section of its seat rail. ✓
Outboard motors Achieved a weight reduction in the DF140BG and DF115BG by switching the intake manifold from aluminum to plastic. ✓
Reduce running resistance of the whole vehicle such as air resistance and rolling resistance Automobiles

<Reduction of rolling resistance>

Reduced rolling resistance of the new Solio by adopting dedicated tires.

<Reduction of air resistance>

  • Adopted new mirrors for the new Solio to reduce air resistance. Also achieved lower air resistance by optimizing the shapes of the front bumper, rear spoiler, and underfloor aerodynamic parts while maintaining design excellence.
  • Achieved better aerodynamic performance in the Swift sold in Europe and reduced its CO2 emissions.
 ✓
Reduce CO2 emissions amount in use of products globally

[Automobiles]

Reduce by 28% (compared to FY2005)
  • Reduced by 25%.

<Reasons for non-achievement>

  • A delay in the adoption of low CO2 technologies, such as a new gasoline engine, hybrid system, and ISG, prevented sales as planned and caused non-achievement of the target.
 －

[Motorcycles]

Reduce by 20% (compared to FY2005)
  • Reduced by 19%.

<Reasons for non-achievement>

  • We achieved the target in FY2018 and FY2019 as we adopted low CO2 technologies for better combustion, less friction loss, and lighter weight as planned. In FY2020, however, production of scooters that emit less CO2 and are manufactured in large volume in India was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a drop in production volume and consequently non-achievement of the target.
 －

[Outboard motors]

Reduce by 10% (compared to FY2005)
  • Reduced by 12%.
  • Achieved the target thanks to better fuel efficiency realized through “SUZUKI GREEN Technology.”
 ✓
Development of next-generation vehicles Develop electric vehicles suitable for small cars Develop hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles for mini/compact cars
  • Further optimized the mild hybrid system adopted in three models sold in Europe and successfully reduced CO2 emissions.
  • Promoting development of an electric vehicle based on the results of public road testing conducted in India and Europe.
 ✓
Develop lightweight, compact, and low-cost air-cooled fuel cell vehicles

[Motorcycle FCV]

Implement the test on public roads in Japan, Europe, etc.		 Promoting advanced development of a fuel-cell vehicle. ✓

[Automobile FCV]

Promote advanced development		 Promoting advanced development of a fuel-cell vehicle. ✓
CO2 reduction activities in production CO2 reduction in production by Suzuki Group in Japan and overseas Reduce CO2 emission per global production volume* by 10% (compared to FY2010)

* Value calculated by converting the ratio of the CO2 emission amount per unit (automobiles, motorcycles, and outboard motors manufactured in plants in Japan) to global production volume of automobiles
  • ±0%

<Reasons for non-achievement>

  • We achieved the target in FY2018 as we shifted from LPG to city gas in Japan and expanded solar power generation overseas as planned in addition to conducting energy-saving and waste eliminating activities. The target was not achieved in FY2019 due to an economic slowdown in India and again in FY2020 as we could not absorb lower production efficiency caused by a drop in production resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 －
CO2 reduction activities in logistics
  • ●Improved transportation efficiency by reviewing transportation routes and packing style
  • ●Improved fuel efficiency of transportation vehicles by introducing eco-drive support equipment, teaching employees economical driving, etc.
 Moved the operation of loading cargoes onto containers for export to some regions to a plant located near the corresponding port of loading and reduced both the distance of transportation to the port and the number of transportation between plants. ✓
Reduce CO2 emission per sale by 14% (compared to FY2006)
  • Reduced by 28%.
  • Achieved the target through such efforts as reducing transportation distance by changing transportation routes.
 ✓
CO2 reduction activities in sales activities etc. CO2 reduction activities by sales and non-manufacturing subsidiaries in Japan Actively promote energy-saving activities by introducing power-saving and energy-saving equipment, etc. in order to regulate global warming
  • Under the common environmental goal of “proactively promote energy-saving activities by introducing power- and energy-saving equipment, etc., in order to curb global warming,” 55 domestic sales companies and five non-manufacturing subsidiaries* are constantly working to save energy and water and reduce waste in business activities.
  • Each of the 54 domestic automobile sales companies has introduced an Environmental Management System and is promoting company-wide improvement efforts to reduce environmental impact and comply with environmental laws and regulations.
  • *Domestic sales companies: Suzuki Motor Sales Tokyo, Suzuki Motor Sales Kinki, Suzuki Motorcycle Sales, and others
    Non-manufacturing subsidiaries: Suzuki Business, Suzuki Transportation & Packing, Suzuki PDC, Suzuki Engineering, and Suzuki Marine
 ✓
Promotion of environmental conservation etc. Air pollution Introduce low-emission vehicle appropriate for circumstances in each country Automobiles
  • Completed the work to make passenger vehicles compatible with the 2018 regulations in Japan.
  • Completed the work to make passenger vehicles compatible with the Euro 6D and BS6 regulations in Europe and India, respectively.
  • Working to make commercial vehicles in Japan compatible with new regulations.
 ✓
Motorcycles Released the new Hayabusa that conforms to the 2020 exhaust emission standards in Japan. ✓
Outboard motors
  • All four-stroke outboard motors have satisfied the U.S. EPA*1 regulations, U.S. CARB*2 regulations, and EU RCD*3 regulations, as well as the voluntary emission regulations of the Japan Marine Industry Association.
  • Obtained three-star rating under the U.S. CARB regulations.
  • Marketing the DF140BG and DF115BG as models conforming to local regulations in each country.
  • *1: Environmental Protection Agency
  • *2: California Air Resources Board
  • *3: Recreational Craft Directive
 ✓
Reduction of VOC in car interior

[Automobiles]

Globally promote the use of alternative materials that generate less VOC in order to improve environment in car interior		 Achieved lower vehicle interior VOC concentration than the target value voluntarily set by Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. in the new Solio as well as models that underwent minor changes, namely the Alto, Lapin, Spacia, and XBEE. ✓
Reduction of VOC in the painting process

[Painting on body]

Maintain reduction of VOC emission per painting area by 40% (compared to FY2000)
  • Reduced by 42.9%.
  • Achieved the target mainly through the improvement of thinners.
 ✓
Promotion of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Effective use of resources Development/design considering recycling Continue the design using recycled materials Automobiles

<Exterior parts>

  • Used recycled materials for the dash outer silencer and regrind materials for a portion of the fuel tank (2WD model) for the new Solio.
  • Also used easily recyclable thermoplastic resin for its bumper, radiator grille, cowl garnish, splash guard, door garnishes, roof end spoiler, fender lining, and fuel tank (2WD model).

<Interior parts>

Used recycled materials for the dash silencer and floor carpet for the new Solio. Also, recycled thermoplastic resin were used for the under-seat boxes. 		✓
Motorcycles Adopted recycled materials for the body cowl cover and right and left cowling inner covers for the new Hayabusa. ✓
Continue the design to reduce materials Automobiles

<Exterior parts>

Made the bumper, radiator grille, and fender lining of the new Solio thinner.		 ✓
Motorcycles Reduced the use of materials for the new Hayabusa by making its cowling thinner through flow analysis and shape optimization. ✓
Outboard motors Made disassembly and recycling of the DF140BG and DF115BG easier by fixing the engine cover using either screws or bolts and nuts. ✓
Increase the use of thermoplastic resin components Automobiles

<Exterior parts>

Used easily recyclable thermoplastic resin for the bumper, radiator grille, cowl garnish, splash guard, door garnishes, roof end spoiler, front and rear fender linings, and fuel tank (2WD model) for the new Solio.

<Interior parts>

Also used easily recyclable thermoplastic resin for plastic components of its interior panel, door trim, interior trim, and seats.		 ✓
Outboard motors Adopted thermoplastic resin for large exterior parts including oil pan cover. ✓
Promotion of recycling ELVs/components

[Japan]

Maintain 70% or higher ASR recycling rate		 ASR recycling rate: 96.4%
(The rate has been maintained at 70% or higher since FY2008.)		 ✓

[Japan]

Promote collection/recycling of used bumpers
  • Continued to collect and recycle repaired or replaced bumpers.
  • Promoting the recycling of collected bumpers to make automobile components such as engine under covers.

[No. of bumpers collected in the last 3 years (units)]

FY2018 FY2019 FY2020
73,308 80,273 72,769
✓

[Japan]

Promote collection/recycling of used lithium-ion batteries
  • Started collecting and recycling used lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) from automobiles when the WagonR equipped with a LiB for ENE-CHARGE was launched in 2012. Have collected and recycled 9,353 used LiBs from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) by March 2021.
  • Participated in the JAMA LiB Co-collection System established by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and operated by the Japan Auto Recycling Partnership in October 2018. Have since been promoting efficient collection and recycling with enhanced transportation efficiency through co-collection.

    • [No. of used LiBs collected and recycled from ELVs (units)]

    FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016
    0 21 105 356 397
    FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 Total
    733 1,853 2,682 3,206 9,353
  • Started collecting and recycling used LiBs not from ELVs but from maintenance, repair, and other activities through the JAMA LiB Co-collection System in April 2020 and have collected 1,779 used LiBs by March 2021.
 ✓

[Overseas]

Conform to local automobile recycle laws

1.Collecting and recycling ELVs
1)India

In October 2019, Maruti Suzuki established Maruti Suzuki Toyotsu India Private Limited (MSTI), a joint venture with the Toyota Tsusho Group to engage in the dismantling and recycling of ELVs in India. The company is now making preparations for the launch of operations, including filing an application for approval and license for the dismantling business.

2)EU

Promoting collection and recycling of ELVs in accordance with local regulations and circumstances in each country.

2.Collecting and recycling used LiBs

In parts of the world where we sell vehicles equipped with a LiB, including Europe, India and its neighboring countries, and Latin America, we are promoting the establishment of a system to collect and recycle used LiBs in accordance with actual local conditions.		 ✓
Reduction of the weight of packing materials such as corrugated cardboard for shipment of service parts
  • ●Increase the use of returnable containers
  • ●Reduce the weight of packing materials for shipment of service parts by 5% compared to FY2015
  • Reduced the quantity of corrugated cardboard used for the shipment of service parts in Japan (five parts centers and a center handling OEM parts for Mazda Motor Corporation) by employing returnable containers instead of packaging boxes made of corrugated cardboard.
  • Weight of packaging materials for shipping service parts: Reduced by 5.2% compared to FY2015
 ✓
Reduction of disposable packing materials for shipment of service/KD parts
  • ●Increase the use of returnable materials
  • ●Reduce the use of disposable materials by improving the packing style and filling rate (Reduce the weight of packing materials for the shipment of KD parts by 9% compared to FY2015)
  • Curbed the use of single-use materials by preventing returnable materials from running out through conducting individual management of returnable materials on a continuous basis.
  • Weight of packaging materials for shipping KD parts: Reduced by 13.5% compared with FY2015
 ✓
Reduction of the use of containers/package for products Maintain the 15% level of reduction relative to FY2005 for the use of containers/package and corrugated cardboard for each component sale
  • Reduced by 46%.
  • Achieved the target mainly by reducing the use of plastic packaging materials and corrugated cardboard.
 ✓
Waste materials

[Suzuki]

Continue the zero-level landfill waste.
Maintain the level of less than 0.5% (compared to FY1990)		 Maintained the level of less than 0.5% compared with FY1990. ✓

[Group]

Continue the zero-level landfill waste.
Maintain a level of less than 0.5% (compared to FY2002)		 Maintained the level of less than 0.5% compared with FY2002. ✓
Water resources Thoroughly save water at plants and offices Plant in Japan
  • Made water-saving efforts by employing an airtight cooling tower, air-cooled compact air conditioners, and water-conserving faucets, and through circulation of cooling water, etc.
  • Reduced water consumption by switching compressors used at the headquarters and the die plant from a water-cooled type to an air-cooled type.
 ✓
Office
  • Continued to undertake efforts to raise awareness of water savings such as by announcing specific measures in addition to putting up related posters in washrooms, restrooms, staff kitchens, etc.
  • Promoting the use of automated faucets in washrooms.
 ✓
Reinforcement of environmental management Reinforcement of environmental management Globally reinforce environmental management
  • Promoting acquisition of ISO14001 certification globally.
  • Added the motorcycle engineering department to the scope of certification of the Hamamatsu Plant.
  • Suzuki Philippines newly acquired ISO14001 certification.
 ✓
Reinforcement of management of substances of concern Globally conform to regulations concerning chemical substances

1.Responding to regulations concerning chemical substances

  • Continued to implement measures to exclude four phthalates (plasticizer) restricted under REACH (EU).
  • Completed our response to the restriction on PFOA (fluorine compound).

2.Communicating information on chemical substances

  • Implemented additional measures to respond to the UFI code requirement added to the EU’s CLP Regulation.
  • Implemented measures to respond to the GHS labeling requirement of each country.
 ✓
Build the global system to manage substances of concern

<Overseas>

  • Conducted an online audit on four overseas production bases that have completely banned the use of asbestos.
  • Conducted an online audit on four overseas production bases that have introduced the Green Procurement Guideline.

<Japan>

  • Provided online education to suppliers on management of substances of concern.
  • Conducted an online audit on suppliers’ system to manage substances of concern and provided guidance.
 ✓
Implementation of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)

[Automobile]

Implement LCA for new model and model change vehicles in Japan		 Published the results of an LCA on the new Solio on Suzuki’s corporate website. ✓
Environmental conservation through tie-up/cooperation with suppliers Promote environmental conservation activities for suppliers based on “Suzuki Green Procurement Guideline” Carefully monitored the trends for chemical substance regulations in Japan, the EU, and the UN and proactively requested suppliers to perform surveys/take action concerning the use of substances that are under discussion for possible inclusion in the corresponding regulations in the future. ✓
Expansion of environmental communication Efforts for biodiversity Globally promote the activity based on “Suzuki Biodiversity Protection Guidelines” to realize protection of biodiversity and its sustainable use
  • Each office conducted cleanup activities at and around its facility and in local communities.
  • In the marine business, conducted cleanup activities of oceans, rivers, and lakes worldwide under the CLEAN-UP THE WORLD CAMPAIGN.
  • Maintained FSC certification of the Shimokawa Proving Grounds.
  • Presented Suzuki’s environmental information including CO2 emissions as well as environmental initiatives such as forest certification in the Suzuki CSR & Environmental Report 2020.
 ✓
Continue and promote local community cleanup activities, volunteering for environmental conservation (Suzuki Manner Improvement Activities, Forest Conservation Activities in “Suzuki's Forest”, tree planting project at storm surge barrier in coastal zone of Hamamatsu, cleanup activities at individual offices, etc.)
  • Employee volunteers conducted “Suzuki Manner Improvement Activities” to clean up the neighborhood from 8:10 to 8:40 in the morning of every third Tuesday. The activities were conducted 198 times up to FY2020 with the participation of a total of 14,210 employees and received the “FY2017 Governor’s Award for Organizations Protecting Rivers, Coasts, and Roads” in 2017.
  • About 1,500 employees and their families have participated in forest conservation activities in the Suzuki’s Forest to date and conducted tree planting and fungus planting of shiitake mushrooms.
 ✓
Enhancement of environmental education Promote environmental education for employees including new employees and overseas trainees
  • Provided a lecture about “environmental activities required for automobile companies” for new engineers as part of environmental education.
  • Provided lectures as part of Suzuki-sponsored program, “Environmental Efforts by Suzuki,” at two universities in Shizuoka Prefecture.
 ✓
Continue the in-house eco-driving education
  • Conducted an eco-driving seminar primarily for new employees. Accumulated number of participants: 9,277
  • Promoted awareness of eco-driving by recording fuel efficiency values in the operation record book of company cars.
 ✓
Participate in and cooperate on environment-related events held by environmental NPO and local communities
  • Cooperated with the Lake Hamana Environmental Network consisting of various organizations engaging in local community development and held an experience-based environmental seminar on plastic waste issues at Lake Hamana, in which employees and their families participated.
  • Participated in the Lake Hamana Environmental Panel Exhibition held at Hamanako Garden Park and presented the Suzuki Clean Ocean Project, Suzuki’s initiative concerning marine plastic waste.
 ✓
Disclosure of environmental information Prepare “Suzuki CSR & Environmental Report” (in Japanese and English) to transmit the information about environment conservation activity to societies Published the Suzuki CSR & Environmental Report 2020, which includes the Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 and Milestone 2030 as well as other previously released topics, such as the development of a Micro-plastic Collecting Device for outboard motors to collect microplastics. ✓

Suzuki Environmental Plan 2025

Following the previous Suzuki Environmental Plan 2020, we formulated a new plan, the Suzuki Environmental Plan 2025, which represents our environmental conservation initiatives over the five years to 2025.
The Suzuki Environmental Plan 2025 is an effort toward achieving the Suzuki Environmental Vision 2050 and Milestone 2030, which were formulated in 2020, and is designed to promote initiatives under the four themes of climate change, air conservation, water resources, and resource circulation. The progress concerning the Suzuki Environmental Plan 2025 and enhancement of related initiatives will be reported in our Sustainability Report in FY2022 onward.

Climate change

●Reducing CO2 emissions amount in use of products

Object Base year Target (FY2025)
Automobiles FY2010 Reduce by 30%
Motorcycles Reduce by 15%
Outboard motors Reduce by 15%

●Reducing CO2 emissions from business activities

Reducing CO2 emissions in production

Object Base year Target (FY2025)
CO2 emission per production FY2016 Reduce by 25%

Reducing CO2 emissions in development, sales, and other activities

  • Proactively promote energy-saving activities toward achieving carbon neutrality, including introduction of energy-saving equipment and solar panels

Reducing CO2 emissions in logistics and other activities

  • Improve transportation efficiency by revising transportation routes and packing methods
  • Introduce eco-driving support equipment and improve fuel efficiency of transportation vehicles
  • Promote the use of transportation by rail
  • Reduce CO2 emissions from Suzuki’s entire transportation activities in Japan
Object Base year Target (FY2025)
CO2 emission per sales FY2016 Reduce by 9%

Air conservation

●Increasing the use of renewable energy

Promoting the introduction of renewable energy, including solar power

●Controlling air pollution

Object Target (FY2025)
Automobiles Contribute to the improvement of the atmospheric environment by releasing and popularizing “clean” products
Motorcycles
Outboard motors

●Reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Reducing VOCs in products

  • Reduce VOCs in vehicle interior

Reducing VOCs in production activities

  • Reduce VOCs in the painting process at plants in Japan
Object Base year Target (FY2025)
VOC emissions per painted area FY2000 Reduce by 50% or more

Water resources

●Conserving water resources
Identifying water risks related to Suzuki and promoting reduction of water consumption and purification of wastewater at each base

Water consumption

  • Reduce water consumption while giving consideration to the water environment of each country and region
Object Base year Target (FY2025)
Water use per production FY2016 Reduce by 10%

Water quality

  • Continue to manage wastewater using voluntary standards that are more stringent than regulatory requirements
  • Conduct biodiversity assessment on rivers near our domestic production bases that discharge wastewater into these rivers

Resource circulation

●Development/design considering recycling

Object Target (FY2025)
Automobiles Continue to undertake development and design that give consideration to recycling
  • Improve ease of dismantling
  • Designs using recycled materials
  • Designs seeking reduction of the use of materials
  • Adopt more thermoplastic resin components
  • Adopt more materials with easy recyclability
Motorcycles
Outboard motors

●Promoting the recycling of automobiles
Working to create a scheme for proper disposal of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs)
Operating a model facility in India for proper disposal of ELVs

●Promoting 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) for batteries
Building a safe and efficient scheme to collect and recycle batteries in anticipation of widespread use of electrified vehicles globally
Conducting field testing on the reuse of small batteries for automobiles and promoting their safe and efficient reuse

●Reducing waste
Promoting waste recycling
Promoting reduction of waste generation volume

●Reducing plastic packaging materials
Promoting reduction of the use of plastic packaging materials to prevent discharge of plastics into ocean

Object Base year Target (FY2025)
Amount of plastic used in packing materials FY2020 Reduce by 12t

Promoting the three pillars of the Suzuki Clean Ocean Project (waterside cleanup activities, activity to eliminate the use of plastic packaging materials, and activity to collect marine microplastics) globally in the field of outboard motors

Introduction of Environmental Management System

Suzuki is promoting introduction of “Environmental Management Systems” including ISO14001 as part of environmental conservation activities by the Group’s manufacturing plants and companies.
The ISO14001 is an international standard of environmental management system. By obtaining the ISO14001 certificate, Suzuki intends to follow the relevant regulations and reduce the environmental impact substances. Also, through periodical environmental audits, we verify the effectiveness of our environmental management system.
Suzuki has already completed acquiring ISO14001 certifications in bases that account for 99.3% of CO2 emerged from global production. We will introduce the way of environmental management at all plants, and promote ISO14001 at plants that have not yet acquired its certification.

Efforts at manufacturing sites

●Status of acquisition at plants in Japan and manufacturing subsidiaries

In April 1998, MAGYAR SUZUKI acquired ISO14001 certification for the first time in the Suzuki Group.
All domestic plants of Suzuki already acquired ISO14001 certification by March 2003. Among domestic manufacturing subsidiaries, three plants (respective plants of Suzuki Toyama Auto Parts Mfg. Co., Ltd., Suzuki Akita Auto Parts Mfg. Co., Ltd., and Suzuki Auto Parts Mfg. Co., Ltd.) and two plants of Snic Co., Ltd. have acquired certification as of April 1, 2021.
Among overseas manufacturing subsidiaries, 19 plants of 14 companies have acquired ISO14001 certification as of the end of April 2021.

ISO 14001-certified domestic plants and Group’s manufacturing subsidiaries

ISO 14001-certified overseas Group companies

●Manufacturing: Environment Organizer Meeting

Suzuki holds Environment Organizer Meeting in order to improve environmental management of domestic plants and manufacturing subsidiaries.
At this meeting, engineering managers and members of domestic plants and manufacturing subsidiaries (9 plants of 4 companies) get together to discuss improvements for environment conservation plan and matters related to domestic plants and Group manufacturing subsidiaries while seeing actual systems on actual sites.
Decisions made at the meetings are rolled out to domestic plants and Group manufacturing subsidiaries, contributing to environmental management activities.

●Environmental audit

At Suzuki’s domestic plants and the manufacturing subsidiaries, an external audit is conducted once every year by an external auditing agent. In addition, an internal audit is conducted to double-check our environmental management system.

環境監査の仕組み

Efforts at non-manufacturing sites

Status of acquisition at offices and development facilities

In order to facilitate environmental conservation activities as the Suzuki Group, we have been promoting the acquisition of ISO14001 certification also at sites other than manufacturing sites, such as engineering departments.

Measures for domestic sales distributors

In order to roll out actions concerning environment in business operations to Group companies, we introduced the Suzuki Environmental Management System from April 2017 to affiliate automobile sales distributors in Japan. This environmental management system unique to Suzuki is part of our initiative in reducing environmental load (energy consumption and amount of wastes) and complying with environmental laws/regulations through PDCA cycle. Sales distributor that introduced this system is progressively promoting the activity centering on the designated environment manager and office.

Environmental education / awareness

●Employee education

As part of our employee education program, we integrate basic environmental education on Suzuki’s Environmental Concept and policies, environmental issues, and promotion of eco-driving into new employee education. We also provide environmental education according to respective operations and positions. Each of our domestic plants works to prevent environmental accidents by providing various education on its own, mainly education to employees in charge of environmentally important processes, as well as introductory education to new employees and education to management-level employees and to all employees.

●Education to obtain special qualifications

We also encourage employees to obtain some environment-related qualifications. The Company holds 145 employees as pollution prevention managers, 39 as energy managers, and 276 as internal environment system auditors.

Emergency training

We look for locations and operations that have potential of causing an environmental accident* and hold emergency drills with employees and other related suppliers at domestic plants and domestic and overseas manufacturing subsidiaries.

*Environmental accident refers to accidents that may affect environment such as leakage of chemicals.

Situation concerning environmental laws, regulations, etc.

In FY2020, there were 30 cases of significant spills* and 7 cases of complaints concerning environment, which were properly taken care of. There was no administrative guidance or payment of penalty due to these significant spills.

*Significant spills: Spills that are recorded as spills from organization such as exceeded amount of wastewater, emission gas, odor, chemical substances (including oil), and wastes that are restricted by laws and regulations, as well as soil and groundwater contamination.

Influence and initiatives to environment caused by business operations

Expansion of environmental communication

Efforts for biodiversity

Suzuki introduced the environmental brand SUZUKI GREEN to realize the philosophy of Suzuki Global Environment Charter and announced the Suzuki Biodiversity Protection Guidelines as the environmental policy in the Charter.
Suzuki Biodiversity Protection Guidelines will be the guiding principle for us to recognize the possibility of business activities etc. giving unavoidable influences on biodiversity, which has provided our life with enormous natural blessings (ecosystem service) since the birth of humanity, as well as for us to try to reduce such influences, and make efforts to ensure sustainable usage.
Suzuki has conducted many actions to reduce influences on biodiversity in our business or social contribution activities, and participated in Japan Business & Biodiversity Partnership*.
Through the release of the Guidelines, we aim to raise awareness about the biodiversity throughout the entire Suzuki Group, and to develop a sustainable society that can coexist with the nature, while keeping good relations with our customers and the local communities.

*Partnership that wide varieties of companies mainly from the economic world make efforts voluntarily for conservation and sustainable usage of biodiversity and share related information in order to accomplish the purpose of the Convention of Biological Diversity.

●Suzuki Biodiversity Protection Guidelines

https://www.globalsuzuki.com/corporate/environmental/green_policy/

[Basic concept]

Under the slogan of “Smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter, and neater”, Suzuki Group thoroughly conducts wasteless, efficient business operations and promotes production of small cars by pursuing environmental technologies in order to reduce influences on biodiversity and contribute to sustainable usage of resources in future.
Based on such activity philosophy, Suzuki Group will try to cooperate with various stakeholders as a member of the society and to develop the society harmonized with beautiful natural environment.

[Emphasized efforts for biodiversity]

・Reduction of environmental loads generated through business operations and products

  • ① Promote energy saving, resource saving, and 3Rs at business steps from product development to recycling.
  • ② Promote improvement in fuel efficiency and R&D of next-generation automobiles in order to reduce greenhouse gas.
  • ③ Work on reducing the use of substances of concern through the supply chain.

∙ Expansion of environmental communication

  • ① Promote environmental beautification and environment conservation activities under cooperation with local communities.
  • ② Work on making appropriate recognition and behavior for biodiversity to penetrate into all employees.
  • ③ Work on announcing environmental information and self-conservation activities widely to the society.

Lake Hamana Plastic Waste Workshop

Specific actions

Reduction of environmental loads generated through business operations and products Expansion of environmental communication
① Internal publication on results of the reduced energy from individual plants
Effective utilization of resources through recyclable design
Continuation of zero-level of landfill waste and enhancement of water saving consciousness
Improvement of transportation efficiency and reduction of packing materials
Increase of recycling rate of end-of-life products
Promotion of solar power generation		 ① Participation in local community cleanup activities
Cleanup activities around plants
Suzuki's Forest volunteer planting project
Shimokawa Proving Grounds: Continuation of FSC certification program
Participation in Corporate Forest Preservation Program
Research and publication of Suzuki’s forest environmental contribution
② Global improvement of average fuel efficiency
Development of next-generation vehicles suitable to small cars
Development of a lightweight and low-cost air-cooled fuel cell
Compliance with Act on Control of Freon Emission
Compliance with various countries’ emission regulations		 ② Improvement of in-house environmental awareness through internal website
Education about global warming and Suzuki Green Policy in introductory workshops and on-the-job training for new employees
Continuation of in-house seminar on eco-driving
Participation in and cooperation for local community environmental education events organized by NPO
③ Compliance with various countries’ regulations for usage of substances of concern
Development of technology for VOC reduction in car cabin and painting process
Promotion of alternatives for substances of very high concern
Close cooperation with suppliers based on “Suzuki Green Procurement Guideline”
Environmental consideration for plant location, etc.		 ③ Publication of “Suzuki CSR & Environmental Report”
Publication of various environmental information about production and products
Participation in environment-related fairs and events
Introduction of our eco-friendly production process through plant tour
Friendship with local residents through an exchange party or meeting
Setting up an environmental section in Suzuki Plaza

●Environment and ecosystem of the surrounding areas

Following 2018, in 2020, we conducted research on waters as well as creatures and plants living in waters of rivers of which more than 5% of their water amount come from water released from our five domestic plants. As a result, we confirmed that there are 213 species of creatures and plants living, of which 12 species are endangered species.

Destinations of waters released and the waters impacted

Base Releasing river Impacted waters*1 Endangered species, etc. confirmed*2
Headquarters Horidome River None None (there are no impacted waters)
Kosai Plant Kasago River Kasago River →
Confluence point with Lake Hamana		 Total of 10 species
Ruddy crake (Aves), Sparrowhawk (Aves), Red-rumped swallow (Aves), Rustic Bunting (Aves), Japanese Brown Frog (Amphibia), Japanese eel (Pisces), Lefua echigonia (Pisces), Japanese rice fish (Pisces), Japanese hard clam (Shellfish), Potamogeton panormitanus (Plantae)
Iwata Plant Akuro River Akuro River →
Confluence point with Imanoura River		 Total of 3 species
Sparrowhawk (Aves), Japanese eel (Pisces), Japanese rice fish (Pisces)
Osuka Plant Nishi-Otani River Nishi-Otani River →
Confluence point with Benzaiten River		 Total of 2 species
Peregrine Falcon (Aves), Red-rumped swallow (Aves)
Sagara Plant Hirugaya River Hirugaya River →
Confluence point of Hagima River and Shirai River		 Total of 5 species
Ruddy crake (Aves), Grey-faced buzzard (Aves), Red-rumped swallow (Aves), Japanese eel (Pisces), Japanese rice fish (Pisces)
Hamamatsu Plant Not released in rivers None None (not released in rivers)
  • *1 Waters of which more than 5% of annual average water amount come from Suzuki’s drain waters.
  • *2 Species that are listed as endangered in the red lists of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and the Ministry of the Environment, as well as red lists and regulations of Prefectures and Cities.

●Forest conservation activities

Suzuki’s Forest (Hamamatsu)

Suzuki concluded a Volunteer Forest agreement with Tenryu Forest Administration Department of Forestry Agency and started the forestry preservation activities in March 2006 at Suzuki’s Forest located in Inasa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu.
Our employees and their family members conduct the forestry activity every year such as planting trees, clearing away the undergrowth, and fungus planting/harvesting operations.
This activity was conducted 29 times in total (13 times of planting and 16 times of undergrowth clearing), and participated by 1,500 volunteers. Although we did not carry out this activity in FY2020, we plan to plant trees every year.

"Suzuki's Forest" planting project

Participation to the tree planting project at storm surge barrier

On 29 November 2015, members of the Suzuki Green Club participated in the storm surge barrier tree planting project in coastal zone of Enshu held by the prefecture of Shizuoka and the city of Hamamatsu and Iwata. Total of 8 activities were held with 287 participants, and 930 nursery trees of pine trees, etc. were planted. The Suzuki Green Club will continue forest conservation and greening activities through activities in Suzuki’s Forest and storm surge barrier.

Forest of Suzuki Shimokawa Proving Grounds (Hokkaido)

Suzuki’s proving grounds is located in the town of Shimokawa (Kamikawa County) on the north of Hokkaido, where the forest accounts for about 90% of the total land area. In 2003, Shimokawa acquired the international FSC(R)*1 Forest Management Certificate (FSC(R)C015134) as the first forestry cooperative in Hokkaido, and in 2011, it was designated as an Environmental Future City*2 featuring effective utilization of abundant natural resources. Now it aims to become a “future city with best harmonization between people and forests”.
Moreover, a 300-ha forest located in the proving grounds was also recognized to satisfy the strict forest stewardship standards according to the FSC(R) certification program, so the area was additionally registered in the FSC(R) Forest Group Certificate for Shimokawa Town in 2006 (FSC(R) C015134).
At the same time, Suzuki will continuously promote co-existence and co-prosperity with the local society who takes great care of the nature through participation of events and sales of agricultural products.

  • *1 FSC(R): Forest Stewardship Council
  • *2 The “Environmental Future City” is a governmental project to create the world’s most ideal city where everybody wishes to live. Under this program, high potential regions are selected and financially supported for realizing such an ideal city.

Suzuki Shimokawa Proving Grounds (Hokkaido)

Participation in “Corporate Forest Preservation Program” (Hokkaido)

As part of environmental preservation and social action programs, we cooperate in silvicultural environment protection by participating in “Corporate Forest Preservation Program”, which is conducted under the Profit-Sharing Afforestation agreement with the government (Forestry Agency) for the period from 1996 to 2028.
For approximately 4.3-ha national forest (containing approximately 3,000 trees) in Shimokawa, we conduct the profit-sharing afforestation by entrusting the work to the local forestry cooperative through Hokkaido Regional Forest Office. Also, for many years, we have contributed to preservation of national land through watershed conservation, sediment discharge prevention and CO2 absorption and fixation. The shared profits coming from the program will be used for further afforestation activities.

*Forestry Agency’s “Corporate Forest Preservation Program” and “Profit-Sharing Afforestation” (in Japanese language only)
http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/kokuyu_rinya/kokumin_mori/katuyo/kokumin_sanka/hojin_mori/index.html

Suzuki’s environmental contributions in FY2020 through these forests are evaluated as follows.

Suzuki's environmental contribution through forest conservation (FY2020)

Measurement item Forests of Suzuki Shimokawa Proving Grounds (FSC(R) C015134) “Corporate Forest Preservation Program”
Regional Forest Office of Forestry Agency
①Contribution to water yield 155,609m3/year 1,409m3/year
②Contribution to prevention of sediment discharge 5,557m3/year 51m3/year
③Contribution to absorption/fixation of carbon dioxide 1,504.7 CO2t/year 17.3 CO2t/year

*Calculated by the project evaluation method employed by the Forestry Agency

The above equal to the below units:

  • ① 78.51 million bottles of 2-L PET bottles
  • ② 1,020 truckloads of 10-t dump truck (5.5m3/truck)
  • ③ 5,295 persons of annual CO2 emission from one person (t/year)

●Suzuki Manner Improvement Activities

Suzuki was registered in “Hamamatsu City Road/River Foster-parent System”* in September 2004 for improvement in manners and environment/beautification awareness of employees, and conduct voluntary cleanup activities as “Suzuki Manner Improvement Activity”.
For those activities, in-house volunteers clean roads around the headquarters and the Takatsuka under-path every month. A total of 14,200 participants have conducted the cleanup activities 196 times until March 2021 and collected 79 minitruck loads of flammable and non-flammable garbage.
In 2017, the activity was acknowledged by the Shizuoka Prefecture, and the Company received the FY2017 Governor’s Award as humane association of river, coast, and road.

*Groups that hope to be foster-parents decide the area and activities, report them to the Mayor, and conduct cleaning on roads, etc.

Suzuki Manner Improvement Activities

CLEAN-UP THE WORLD CAMPAIGN (waterside cleanup activities)

The CLEAN-UP THE WORLD CAMPAIGN, which started in 2010 as a global initiative of the Suzuki Group, marked its 12th year in 2021. Every year, the event takes place in more than 25 countries and draws many participants. In FY2020, participants in five countries conducted waterside cleanup activities and contributed to respective local communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activity to collect marine microplastics using Suzuki’s Micro-plastic Collecting Device for outboard motors

In addition to the conventional waterside cleanup activities, we launched an activity to collect marine microplastics floating on and near the surface by using a Micro-plastic Collecting Device for outboard motors developed by Suzuki. With the aim of increasing the number of its users, we are currently extending the scope of our monitoring survey to overseas locations and further refining the device. This device is scheduled to be sold globally as standard equipment for select models from July 2022.

Countries where Suzuki conducted the monitoring survey in 2020

Suzuki Clean Ocean Project

The Suzuki Clean Ocean Project is an environmental initiative of Suzuki comprising three smaller projects. These are: (1) CLEAN-UP THE WORLD CAMPAIGN (waterside cleanup activities) continued from 2010; (2) Activity to reduce plastic packaging for outboard motors and service parts started in 2020; and (3) Activity to collect marine microplastics using Suzuki’s Micro-plastic Collecting Device for outboard motors. The Suzuki Clean Ocean Project is also a specific initiative of Suzuki to solve social issues represented by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shows Suzuki’s commitment to pursue its brand slogan of “THE ULTIMATE OUTBOARD MOTOR” in terms of the environment as well.
Under these three projects, we will team up with our partners around the world, including outboard motor users, dealers, boat builders, business partners, Suzuki Group companies, employees and their families, to clean-up the oceans worldwide.

Symbol mark of the Suzuki Clean Ocean Project

http://plastics-smart.env.go.jp/ (in Japanese language only)

Community information exchange meeting

We regularly carry out an information exchange meeting with local residents to ask their views and opinions for further environmental improvement. In FY2020, we cancelled the meeting at each office due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping an eye on situations in society, we plan to resume the meeting when safety is ensured.