Ford Honored For Efforts To Combat Climate Change

The Ford Motor Co. has been honored by CDP, a global environmental group, for its efforts at increasing sustainability and cutting issues like water overuse.

For the longest time, the auto industry has been criticized for its pollution and other environmental ills. Seldom has the industry been lauded for its leadership in this field. For its work in sustainability, Ford was again honored by CDP, a leading global environmental nonprofit. CDP recognized Ford for its intent to achieve carbon neutrality globally no later than 2050 with urgent interim targets to address climate change.

Ford Lauded For Paris Accord Work

Ford also remains the only automaker committing to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the Paris climate agreement. And, the automaker reached a voluntary agreement with California to adopt meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2000, the automaker has reduced its operational use of water by 70 percent, saving more than 11 billion gallons.

In light of all of these developments, the Ford Motor Co. was recognized for leadership in corporate sustainability by CDP, securing a place on the global environmental nonprofit’s prestigious “A List” to tackle climate change and protect water security.

Critical parts of Ford’s comprehensive approach to long-term sustainability and helping transition to a low-carbon economy are climate protection and water management. This is the second straight year Ford, one of 270 global companies named to the A List, has been recognized by CDP for climate-change efforts. Ford has received A’s from CDP for water reduction for six years in a row and is one of only 106 companies globally to earn its water security award.

Ford Makes Progress Cutting Impact

“We are making real progress in reducing our impact on the planet,” said Bob Holycross, Ford’s chief sustainability, environment, and safety officer. “Our people, customers, and investors expect us to do more around climate change, and we are up to the challenge because we know that what’s good for the planet is good for our business.”

Ford is the full-line U.S. automaker committed to reducing CO emissions in line with the Paris Accords on climate change. This year, the company announced it intends to globally achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2050 while setting urgent interim targets to address climate change. Ford also led the way in reaching a voluntary agreement with California to adopt meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Ford’s plans call for investing more than $11.5 billion in electric vehicles (EV) through 2022. In 2017, Ford achieved its goal to reduce its global carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing operations by 30 percent per vehicle produced by 2025, eight years early.

Ford Cuts Water Use 70 Percent

Since 2000, the company had conserved water through its global water initiative and has reduced operational water usage by 70 percent, saving more than 11 billion gallons of water.

Ford continues to incorporate more water-efficiency and technologies, with a long-term goal of using zero drinkable water in its vehicle-making efforts. For example, the company uses internally treated and externally sourced non-potable (not drinkable) water in its Irapuato Transmission Plant in Mexico. In China, the automaker has installed treated wastewater recycling systems at four assembly plants. And in the U.S., Ford’s Flat Rock, Mich., and Kansas City, Mo., assembly plants have recycling and reuse systems that generated treated wastewater to supplement water used in their paint shops.

“We extend our congratulations to all the companies on this year’s A List,” said Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP. “Taking the lead on environmental transparency and action is one of the most important steps businesses can make and is even more impressive in this challenging year marked by COVID-19. The scale of the risk to businesses from climate change, deforestation, and water insecurity is enormous, and we know the opportunities of action far outweigh the risks of inaction. Our A List celebrates those companies who are preparing themselves to excel in the economy of the future by taking action today.”

Ford’s Has Tracked Sustainability

Since 2000, Ford’s annual sustainability report has tracked its wide-ranging approach to and significant corporate social responsibility achievements related to climate change, water conservation, and air quality, among other issues.

For more information about Ford’s sustainability performance, data, and reporting, visit sustainability.ford.com.

Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Most of Marc's stories are part of Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.