Seeking a symbiosis of people, vehicles and nature is auto manufacturer Nissan's philosophy toward the environment as stated in its Green Programme 2010 initiative.

Nissan media relations Veralda Schmidt says, "Nissan is aiming to proactively tackle environmental challenges and reduce its load on the environment while developing a sustainable mobile society." The three focus issues include reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, reducing emissions to preserve the atmosphere, water and soil, and the recycling of resources.

The programme's key goals include: incorporating CO2 reduction as one of the key management performance indicators, launching a three-litre car by 2010, which will run 100 km on three litres of petrol and expanding the availability of flexible fuel vehicles within the next three years. Nissan is also planning to launch its original hybrid vehicle in 2010 and accelerate its development of plug-in hybrid technology, and reduce CO2 emissions from global manufacturing plants by 7%, by 2010.

Nissan will launch a range of electric vehicles (EV) globally from 2012 onwards, and the timeline for the launch of electric vehicles locally is currently being discussed with Nissan South Africa's (NSA's) parent company and the South African government. Nissan is determined to produce an EV for the mass market and is in continual discussion with suppliers to make these vehicles accessible to the regular buyers.

NSA is also striving to maintain sound environmental practices in its manufacturing processes and has won numerous awards and recognition locally and internationally for its environmental efforts, and was the first motor company in South Africa to receive the internationally recognised International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14000 environmental certification for its manufacturing process from the South African Bureau of Standards.

The company's environmental practices include: the exclusion of chlorofluorocarbons and other harmful chemicals from all phases of its manufacture; chemical and other waste management; water and power savings efforts; a man-made wetland which is a catchment area for storm water; recycling; and working closely with its numerous suppliers and dealers to ensure sound environmental practice.

As part of its commitment to the preservation of the environment, NSA's Rosslyn plant, north of Pretoria, has established a water-treatment facility that has an effluent facility and settling tank. All industrial effluent is directed to the facility and after solids have been removed, the clean water joins the sewerage system, which can be returned safely into the environment.

NSA has also built a dam and a wetlands area next to its Rosslyn plant. Fish have been introduced and bird life has become abundant. All rain and storm water is directed to the dam and the water from the wetland, which joins the Crocodile river.

All of Nissan's vehicles benefit from Nissan's international life cycle approach of environmentally sound vehicle design, use and recycling. Research and development is an ongoing and is said to continue against the current economic climate. Globally, more than $14,3-million has been invested in developing battery technology.

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