The Green Industrial Revolution: the case of Toyota and the hybrid vehicle

Abstract

The attention toward issues linked to the exploitation of global energetic resources has considerably increased in the last decades, considering both the related individual concerns and that of the governments all around the world regarding the sustainable development. Broadly speaking, the awareness about the necessity to preserve the environment of our planet replaced an abuse tendency that has been dominating the economy for a long time. This is confirmed and highlighted by the scientific research and by concepts like the “ecological footprint”, according to which we are currently using resources to an equal extent of 1.6 Earths, both for production purposes and to absorb our waste. I.e., it takes 1 year and 6 months for our planet to compensate the resources used in a year (Global Footprint Network). This insight creates serious worries about the way we can safeguard natural resources so that we can have them still available in the future, both for our and the following generations. Having a clear and objective framework of the current situation turns out to be fundamental in order to carry out effective actions to this end. Try to overcome the economic crisis bringing pressure on the environment is not an option, since the global warming and the resources’ scarcity are threatening our existence. The economic dimension is closely affected by these concerns, being undeniable the strict link between production processes and available resources. The concepts of Green Economy and Green Industrial Revolution started to become popular, representing an economy that wants to integrate with nature. The first part of this thesis deals with the origin and evolution of the Green Industrial Revolution. This new way of thinking may be the solution to a peaceful coexistence between our kind, our development model and the rest of the planet, which until now has been considered accessory. An economy that recognizes the fundamental importance of Nature and does its utmost to preserve it. Then my aim is to delve deeper into the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Another chapter analyses the concept and instruments of Energy Management. Finally, a case study is presented: Toyota and the hybrid vehicle.