Past Steps
Targets for Products and Production Activities in 2005
Upholding the slogan “Blue Skies for Our Children,” Honda has been implementing aggressive measures to solve environmental problems since the 1960s, when pollution concerns began to grow. We established a department to research countermeasures against air pollution in 1966, soon after starting the manufacturing of automobiles. Based on research conducted by this group , we developed the CVCC engine (1972) and became the first company in the world to meet the requirements of the U.S. Clean Air Act, which was thought to be very difficult to comply with at that time.Since then, Honda has been actively taking on the challenge of solving environmental problems based on the belief that problems caused by technologies should be solved by technologies.
In the 1990s, we improved our organizational structure step by step and created the Honda Environment Statement to clearly define our approach towards environmental issues.
Since then, Honda has been improving its environmental conservation activities consistent with the statement used as action guidelines.
In 1999, we set out specific environmental targets, focusing on cleaner exhaust emissions and higher fuel economy, and have since been implementing measures to achieve these targets by the end of fiscal 2005.
Specific Targets to Be Achieved by the End of Fiscal 2005 in Products and Production Activities
| Automobiles | Exhaust emissions (HC, NOx): | Reduce total emissions from new automobiles by approximately 75% (compared with fiscal 1995)1 |
| Fuel economy: | Improve average fuel economy by approximately 25% (compared with fiscal 1995)1 | |
| Motorcycles | Exhaust emissions (HC): | Reduce total emissions from new automobiles to approximately one-third (compared with fiscal 1995)2 |
| Fuel economy: | Improve average fuel economy by approximately 30% (compared with fiscal 1995)2 | |
| Power Equipment |
Exhaust emissions (HC, NOx): | Reduce average emissions by approximately 30% (compared with fiscal 1995)3 |
| Fuel economy: | Improve average fuel economy by 30% (compared with fiscal 1995)3 | |
| Production | Energy saving: | Reduce unit energy consumption by 15% (compared with fiscal 1990)4 |
| Waste: | Achieve zero landfill disposal4 |
1. Target in Japan
2. Target in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Thailand
3. Target in the world
4. Target to be achieved in Japan by fiscal 2001, which was announced in 1998
A new target is currently being pursued, which is to reduce unit energy consumption by 30% by fiscal 2010 (compared with fiscal 1990).
2. Target in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Thailand
3. Target in the world
4. Target to be achieved in Japan by fiscal 2001, which was announced in 1998
A new target is currently being pursued, which is to reduce unit energy consumption by 30% by fiscal 2010 (compared with fiscal 1990).
Automobiles
In order to achieve the cleaner exhaust emissions and higher fuel economy targets it announced for automobiles in 1999, Honda implemented measures to develop next-generation engines and to replace existing engines with newly-developed ones.In 2000, we equipped the Honda Stream with a compact, lightweight and high-performance next-generation 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine, and in 2001, equipped the Honda Fit with a 1.3-liter i-DSI (“intelligent” Dual Sequential Injection) engine. Subsequently, we have equipped automobiles with a variety of displacements of Honda i-series engines. Finally, in September 2005, with the introduction of an all-new Civic, we completed our goal of equipping virtually all Honda automobiles with next-generation engine technology, regardless of their displacement.* Through these measures, we achieved a higher fuel economy target in 2001 and cleaner exhaust emissions target in 2003, both earlier than initially planned.
Also, application of next-generation engine technology enabled us to achieve the following targets.
* Excluding some models
• To fulfill the fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards of Japan in all weight categories [Achieved in fiscal 2004]
• To achieve clean performance in exhaust emissions not more than 50% of the 2000 exhaust emissions regulation standards [Achieved in fiscal 2002]
 2.0 litter i-VTEC engine (2000) |
 1.3 litter i-DSI engine (2001) |
 1.8 litter i-VTEC engine (2005) |
To reduce the average emissions of HC and NOx by approx. 75%, respectively (compared with fiscal 1995) [Achieved in fiscal 2003]
To improve the average fuel economy by approx. 25% (compared with fiscal 1995) [Achieved in fiscal 2001]
Motorcycles
To achieve the cleaner emissions and higher fuel economy targets it announced for motorcycles in 1999, Honda began as early as 1997 to take measures to discontinue the use of 2-stroke engines by the end of fiscal 2002. These simply structured 2-stroke engines had been adopted mainly in small motorcycles because of their superior output. Our goal was to replace them with more environment-friendly 4-stroke engine technology.In 1998, Honda unveiled the VFR, an environmentally-conscious model fitted with a programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) system; a three-way catalytic converter system that uses an O2 sensor, called the Honda Evolutional Catalyzing System 3 (HECS3); and a secondary air introduction system. Since then, we have actively introduced these environmental technologies to other models. In 1999, we released the CB400SF and GIORNO Crea simultaneously. We equipped the CB400SF with a valve pausing mechanism called HYPERVTEC, enabling it to be used as a sports bike while also achieving higher fuel economy. We also equipped the GIORNO Crea with an “idle-stop” mechanism that shuts off the engine when the rider comes to a stop and restarts the engine when the rider applies the throttle. Starting with the Pantheon 125/150, released in Europe in 2003, Honda has been introducing PGM-FI technology to smaller models, including the Wave (released in Thailand in 2003) , and the Smart DioZ4, the world’s first FI system-equipped 50cc scooter. In addition, we have made technological advancements in the reduction of mechanical resistance inside the engine and researched the combustion mechanism and electronically controlled belt conveyors. We then adopted these newly-developed technologies for new models. As a result, Honda was the first to market with models that meet the Euro3 emissions standards in Europe, the fifth emissions standards in Thailand, and the 2007 emissions standards in Japan. In Japan, Honda achieved emissions levels that were half of the 2007 regulatory requirements. Accordingly, we achieved our targets for cleaner exhaust emissions and higher fuel economy in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 2003, respectively, both earlier than initially planned.
 VFR, developed in consideration of environmental performance (1998) |
 GIORNO Crea, equipped with an idling-stop mechanism (1999) |
 Smart DioZ4, a 50-cc scooter equipped with the PGM-FI system (2004) |
To reduce total HC emissions from new motorcycles to approximately one-third (compared with fiscal 1995) [Achieved in fiscal 2000]
To improve average fuel economy by approximately 30% (compared with fiscal 1995) [Achieved in fiscal 2003]
Power Equipment
To achieve the targets it announced in 1999 for cleaner exhaust emissions and higher fuel economy in its power equipment products, Honda implemented measures to discontinue the use of 2-stroke engines, replace SV engines with OHV engines, and vigorously apply electronically-controlled systems to power equipment.To achieve cleaner exhaust emissions, we changed the shape of the combustion chamber, improved the oil control mechanism, and reduced the quenching area for engines to meet the emissions standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) while maintaining a high level of product performance. We also made substantial improvements by applying computer controlled technologies to a variety of products, including the expansion of the inverter generator series, equipped with an eco-throttle function, and the introduction of the world’s first1 hybrid snow blower, the Snowra i HS 1390i, in 2001. In 2002, we were able to attain excellent output performance, high fuel economy and cleaner exhaust emissions with the GX25, a 4-stroke, 360-degree inclinable engine with almost the same weight as a similar-sized 2-stroke engine. In 2005, we released the iGX440, a single-cylinder, general-purpose engine, adopting the world’s first1 technology to electronically control the engine speed (STR2 GOVENOR). This marks the beginning of the environmentally-friendly, next-generation general-purpose engine series we will provide to our customers worldwide.
Through these measures, Honda achieved its target for cleaner exhaust emissions for power equipment in fiscal 2001, earlier than planned, and its target for higher fuel economy in fiscal 2005.
1. According to a survey conducted by Honda at the time the product was released
2. STR is the abbreviation for self-tuning regulator.
2. STR is the abbreviation for self-tuning regulator.
 Snowra i HS 1390i hybrid snow blower (2001) |
 GX25 360-degree inclinable 4-stroke engine (2002) |
 iGX440 next-generation general-purpose engine utilizing electronic control technology (2005) |
To reduce average HC and NOx emissions by approximately 30% (compared with fiscal 1995) [Achieved in fiscal 2001]
To improve average fuel economy by approximately 30% (compared with fiscal 1995) [Achieved in fiscal 2005]
Production Domain
In the domestic production domain, Honda is implementing zero-emissions measures to minimize the generation of waste and substances of concern and to improve energy efficiency in order to reduce CO2 emissions. Furthermore, we completed the introduction of ISO 14001-based systems to all domestic plants in 1998 and accelerated measures for the management of and further reduction in substances of concern.In our zero-emissions measures, we reduced the amount of waste generated at the source and promoted recycling in the production process in pursuit of resource efficiency and minimum environmental impact. We thoroughly sorted waste that had been generated so that it could be more effectively recycled. As a result of these comprehensive measures, we achieved zero landfill waste at all our plants in Japan in July 2000.
To improve energy efficiency, we introduced low energy consuming production technologies and equipment, installed natural-gas cogeneration systems (reducing approximately 10,000 tons of CO2 per year through the use of four units) and solar power generation systems, and thoroughly managed the use of energy. As a result, we reduced unit energy consumption by 15 percent in fiscal 2001 (compared with fiscal 1990). At present, we are making efforts to reach our target in the domestic production domain for fiscal 2010, which is a 30 percent reduction in per unit energy consumption compared with fiscal 1990.
 Natural-gas cogeneration system at the Suzuka Factory |
 Solar power generation system at the Hamamatsu Factory |
 Natural-gas cogeneration system at the Saitama Factory |
To reduce unit energy consumption by 15% by fiscal 2001 (compared with fiscal 1990) [Achieved in fiscal 2001]
To achieve zero landfill waste by fiscal 2001 [Achieved in fiscal 2000]
Honda has thus achieved the major numerical targets it announced in 1998 and 1999 for its products and production activities.
For our progress in achieving specific targets, please click here.
