Toyota has announced plans to reduce its worldwide carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by 2010, using a mixture of advanced technologies and new working practices to effect change.

The fourth environmental action plan from the company focuses on four major issues: energy/global warming; recycling of resources; management of substances of concern; and atmospheric quality.

One of the goals includes a requirement that by 2006 cars launched in Europe and Japan will not use mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium or lead.

The Japanese company is also planning to offer more hybrid models in more markets around the world.

In addition, it aims to pursue its research into advanced technologies including fuel cell technology, in order to bring the vehicles to the commercial market as soon as possible.

Last week the Japanese carmaker announced plans to team up with world number one General Motors (GM), with the two embarking on a fuel cell venture together in order to further the emissions-saving technology.

Three executives from the two companies have confirmed that a project will be set up in the US, beginning with a research centre and possibly expanding to a factory.

The two companies, ranked first and second in the world, already cooperate on research and development in environmentally friendly technologies.