As vehicles shift to "greener" gears, the environment may find an unlikely ally in the automotive industry. The spotlight falls on Nissan and its aim to be a truly sustainable business and contribute to a cleaner, secure future.
The company has outlined its sustainability efforts and objectives through “Nissan Integrated Report 2024” and “Sustainability Databook 2024,” which detail its strategies for resource efficiency and helping avert the grave consequences of climate change.
Nissan Green Program 2030
Investing in eco-friendly solutions, the business has set ambitious targets by 2030 to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by 30 percent, manufacturing emissions by 52 percent, and global car intensity by 32.5 percent. Once reached, these aims can help the company drive vehicles that consider the planet’s health.
“This program will focus on cutting CO2 emissions across product lifecycles, including manufacturing activities through reducing energy consumption, increasing renewable energy use and electrifying facilities, and including the product itself through the development and sale of zero-emission vehicles,” said Joji Tagawa, chief sustainability officer at Nissan.
Key initiatives include building zero-emission vehicles, using recycled steel, and enhancing water conservation efforts.
“We are proud to say that as of fiscal year 2023, 32 percent of materials we use are sustainable. We are on track to raise our sustainable materials ratio to 40 percent by 2030 in Japan, the United States, Europe, and China by expanding our use of known, new, and circular materials for new vehicles and parts for customer repairs,” he added.
According to the book, since about 60 percent of a vehicle’s weight is steel and 10 percent is aluminum, using green steel and aluminum can effectively reduce emissions throughout its lifecycle.
Meanwhile, Nissan seeks to achieve carbon neutrality, or the balance between emitting carbon and absorbing it, in the vehicle lifecycle by 2050, with Tagawa noting, “Nissan's impact on the global supply chain is significant, and we need to ensure that we work to incorporate sustainability into all areas of our business operations.”
The program was introduced in 2002 when it aimed for harmony among people, vehicles, and nature.
Road to sustainability
Through the Nissan Energy Share system, the company has been working to enhance the value of electronic vehicles (EVs) as mobile storage batteries. This means electricity from EV batteries “can be shared with homes, buildings, and society through Nissan’s unique energy management and interactive charging technologies.”
The system, in turn, enables more effective and stable use of renewable energy to help reduce emissions from electricity. Meanwhile, the company plans to increase energy management functions in EVs to ensure maximum utility even when they are parked.
“Nissan will accelerate the electric vehicle transition, prioritize reducing CO2 emissions, innovative technologies, leaner manufacturing systems, smart partnerships, and market growth that will contribute to a more sustainable future and our ultimate goal of carbon neutrality,” said Tagawa.
Features expected in the EV portfolio include increased battery capacity, reduced overall battery costs, and more affordable EVs.
By the end of fiscal 2026, Nissan will launch 16 new models of electric vehicles, including battery EVs, e-power system vehicles, plug-in hybrid EVs, and 14 ICE models. A total of 34 EV models between fiscal 2024 and 2030 are expected to cover all market segments.
Nissan's commitment to sustainability proves that it takes a village to help the planet regain its natural balance. With businesses better equipped to fight the climate crisis, consumers must make mindful consumption a habit and choose green options when possible.
Bring being green on the roads and to table talks. While action should have started long ago, humans going green now is better than never, driving hope for our shared home through one collective effort at a time.