Toyota recently issued its first update on progress toward the goals and targets in the company’s new 2011 Environmental Action Plan.

The report details Toyota’s efforts in six key areas: environmental management, energy and climate change, air quality, substances of concern, recycling and improved resource use, and co-operation with society.

“Toyota’s approach to reducing CO2 is far broader than just a commitment to fuel economy standards,” said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice-president of Toyota Motor North America. “We take these targets very seriously. Our environmental reports show a consistent history of achieving — and in many cases exceeding — our targets.”

Toyota also announced its first renewable energy power purchase agreement.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. has teamed up with SunPower Corp. to install a 2.28-megawatt solar electric power system on the roof of Toyota’s Ontario, Calif., parts centre. The system will be financed and owned by a third-party financier, letting Toyota take advantage of the environmental and financial benefits of solar with no upfront capital costs. When completed in 2008, the photovoltaic system will be the largest one-roof solar power installation on the continent.

Last week, Toyota’s outstanding environmental leadership was recognized with California’s top environmental honour, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, in the category of sustainable practices or facilities, by the California Environmental Protection Agency.

The award was given in recognition of pioneering efforts to integrate environmental values and conservation of natural resources into long-term decision making and management of businesses and facilities.