Nissan adds a sustainability chief

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. has appointed its first chief sustainability officer, charged with leading the Japanese carmaker on such issues as resource conservation, vehicle safety, quality and fuel efficiency.Senior Vice President Hitoshi Kawaguchi, 62, was previously in charge of corporate social responsibility, global external and government affairs as well as Japan communications. He becomes the carmaker’s sixth “chief” officer under CEO Carlos Ghosn.His promotion, effective last month, was announced today in Japan.Kawaguchi adds the sustainability role on top of his previous duties and reports directly to Ghosn. The new position aims to emphasize and align sustainability efforts with the company’s overall corporate strategy, Nissan said.Kawaguchi joined the company in April 1976 and spent his earlier years in product planning at multiple postings in Europe. He graduated from Japan’s Hitotsubashi University with a degree in economics.Nissan’s vision for sustainability tackles such issues as addressing climate change, rapid urbanization, transportation for the aging and vehicle safety. It also covers developing a skilled and diverse work force and philanthropic programs.

Nissan adds a sustainability chief

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