Toyota to award grants to companies promoting sustainable development

Under the programme, grants worth 200 million yen (US $1.9 million) annually are provided to practical projects that are rooted in local communities and aims to support environmental improvement and conservation, both in Japan and internationally, Toyota announced on 8 September.

The recipients of the first year’s grants were selected because they either use technology for the promotion of environmental and economic development, or engage in educational activities promoting environmental awareness amongst young people. They include an organisation promoting high-yield rice cultivation and biogas in Myanmar, a programme in Vietnam developing a biodigester to promote renewable energy and educational programmes for Vietnamese government officials, as well as programmes in the US, Hungary and Japan.

Toyota says that it expects its Toyota Environmental Activities Support Program to last for three years, and said that it introduced the grants to commemorate its receipt of an award from the United Nations Environment Programme, rewarding sustainable development and environmental improvement.