Akio Toyoda Reappointed Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation: Greenpeace response

TOKYO – At the Toyota Motor Corporation General Shareholders’ Meeting held today, Mr. Akio Toyoda was reappointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In response, Mariko Shiohata, Climate Change and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Japan, said:

“Toyota is the world’s largest auto company and is responsible for an estimated 1.5 percent of global emissions.[1] As chairman, Akio Toyoda is a key player for the future of our climate. However, he has repeatedly promoted decarbonization strategies that do not stand up to science, including the idea that hybrid vehicles are more effective at reducing emissions than battery electric vehicles.[2]

In contrast to other leading automakers such as Honda, BMW, and Ford, which have clearly stated that electrification is the most effective means of decarbonizing passenger cars, Toyota has promoted hydrogen and alternative fuels, but with little progress to show for it.[3] Many scientists and engineers question whether the hydrogen and biofuel technologies that Toyota is investing in can really be an effective means for the automaker to achieve its climate targets.[4] 

Toyota’s continued development of internal combustion engine vehicles is not consistent with the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, a target that is already unambitious.[5] Particularly concerning is the fact that the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by Toyota each year has been increasing, having reached a volume equivalent to about 60 percent of Japan’s total emissions in 2023.[6]

Even if Toyota sells a higher proportion of hybrid vehicles, the emissions benefits would not be sufficient to offset the automaker’s increasing sales.[7] As the world’s leading automotive company, Toyota should take a leadership role in the development of decarbonization technologies, by setting targets for total emission reductions by 2030, 2035, and 2040.

Going forward, I hope to see Mr. Toyoda transform the automaker’s business model in a way that is consistent with the 1.5 degree target. Under Mr. Toyoda’s leadership, Toyota should focus on technologies that will reduce its total greenhouse gas emissions to ensure accountability to future generations.”


Notes

[1] Greenpeace Japan, “Toyota accounts for 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, car companies must set reduction targets consistent with the 1.5 degree Celsius target – Report on the current status and challenges of greenhouse gas emissions by Japanese car companies” (March 12, 2025)

[2] Forbes, Total EV Adoption Is Not The Way Forward, Says Toyota Chairman, (March 3, 2024)

[3] Honda, “Summary of 2024 Honda Business Briefing on Direction of Electrification Initiatives and Investment Strategy” (May 16, 2024)
BMW, “CO2 Reductions,” accessed: June 11, 2025
Ford, Ford Broadens Electrification Strategy to Reach More Customers, Improve Profitability, Continue to Reduce CO2 (August 21, 2024)

[4] Greenpeace Japan, “Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle: 120 scientists and engineers ask IOC to withdraw Toyota’s official Olympic vehicle – questioning the carbon emissions of the hydrogen production process and the high cost of introduction” (July 17, 2024)

[5] Greenpeace Japan, “Automotive Environmental Guide 2023’: Japan’s delay in shifting to EVs not filled, will it break away from excessive reliance on hybrids?” (October 19, 2023)

[6] Toyota’s latest Sustainability Data Book issued in March 2025 reports that the company emitted 592.89 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (million t-CO₂e) in 2023. In 2022, the company emitted 586.43 million million t-CO₂e. In 2023, Japan’s total emissions amounted to 1,017 million t-CO₂e. Toyota, Sustainability Data Book (March 2025). 

[7] Greenpeace Japan, “Toyota accounts for 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, car companies must set reduction targets consistent with the 1.5 degree Celsius target – Report on the current status and challenges of greenhouse gas emissions by Japanese car companies” (March 12, 2025)


Media Contacts

Erin Newport, International Communications Officer, Greenpeace East Asia +886 958 026 791, [email protected]

Natalia Emi Hirai, Communications Manager, Greenpeace Japan +8180 6558 4446,  [email protected]