Toward a sustainable future

IN this day and age, sustainability is becoming a common word. Sustainability --- with a connection to the environment --- actually means the ability to exist and develop without depleting natural resources for the future. Specific meanings will depend on the context where it is applied. In the context of business, it is a company's strategy to reduce negative environmental impact resulting from their operations.In the past, businesses have been too preoccupied making a profit, which led to the suffering of the environment.Problems have risen such as deforestation, pollution and carbon emissions. These, in turn, have led to adverse effects on the environment. People are the ones on the receiving end of the impact it caused, among which is their health and well-being.In recent times, these businesses, feeling pressure from concerned parties, have come to realize the consequences of their practices as more and more people are becoming conscious in protecting and preserving the environment once they discover this is related to their health and well-being.Going back to the business context, climate change, dwindling natural resources and increasing demands on the world's energy and food supply are disrupting business operations and supply chains in unexpected ways.This gave birth to the United Nations General Assembly Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. The SDGs establish universal goals that provide a road map for sustainability in business in target areas such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change.In keeping with these SDG's, businesses are adapting environmental, social and governance practices. Sustainability has now become a business imperative and should be the center of the strategy and operations of every business.Thus, companies need to drive decarbonization, meet environmental regulatory requirements and compliance deadlines, and improve resource consumption. This means adapting new business models, aligned with ESG with the goal of winning customers, increasing brand loyalty and uncoveringnew opportunities to lower costs.One such company taking the initiative is Lexus, the luxury vehicle arm of Toyota. The company has adapted ESG, and this is reflected in the vehicles that Lexus has built and rolled out of its assembly lines.One initiative is to manufacture vehicles with a hybrid electric drive. In 2006, Lexus did so by rolling out the RX 400h and taking pride in it. Lexus has been leading the electrified charge. By continuously pushing the boundaries of hybrid electric technology, it has crafted sustainable and fuel-efficient vehicles that are equally exciting to drive.Lexus realizes that light vehicles help conserve natural resources, reduce fuel consumption and minimize brake wear. It ensures luxury, strength, and most especially, safety are not compromised, and it always makes sure every design is tested before it goes into production.It has gone to great lengths to incorporate sustainability in the design and manufacture of vehicles. It is proud to develop the first bamboo-charcoal speakers. The luggage compartment trim of Lexus vehicles is made from recycled plastics. The dashboard is made from recycled soundproofing materials, and the door time is made from the kenaf plant instead of wood chips. The seats are made from foam derived from castor seeds, and 30 percent of carpeting is made from plant-based sources.Besides the manufacture of vehicles, Lexus also built recycling facilities such as the Automobile Shredder Residue Recycling plant. These facilities recover and repurpose as much urethane foam, fiber, copper, glass and plastics from its vehicles as possible.All these are summed up in the company's mission. "In the green beating heart of Lexus, luxury and love for the environment coexist in perfect harmony. We have one ultimate goal: zero waste. In all our processes, from the materials we develop to the technology that powers our luxury vehicles, we maximize recycling, minimize waste and reduce consumption."