Ford details progress on eco-initiatives in latest sustainability report

Did you know Ford Motor Company cut its global water use by more than 16 percent in 2009 and became the first automaker to join a global program to help establish a water disclosure protocol for companies around the world?

Did you know Ford reduced carbon dioxide emissions of its 2009 model year vehicles for North America by 12 percent compared to a 2006 baseline, and is on track to meet its goal of a 30 percent CO2 reduction by 2020?

Did you know Ford delivered on its 2006 pledge to double the number of flexible-fuel vehicles produced in the United States by the end of 2010?

These are a few of the highlights in Ford’s 11th annual Sustainability Report released on June 15. The 2009/2010 report, titled “Blueprint for Sustainability: The Future at Work,” provides updates on the company’s progress in five key areas including climate change, fuel economy, mobility, vehicle safety and human rights.

The report reaffirms Ford’s strong commitment to its sustainability strategy to support positive social change and reduce the environmental impact of its products and facilities, while ensuring economic viability for long-term growth.

“Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are essential ingredients for long-term success,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability and our commitment to pursuing it have not changed. Our vision is to provide sustainable transportation that is affordable in every sense of the word – socially, environmentally and economically.”

The report details how Ford is successfully addressing the economic challenges facing the industry today. Included are sections pertaining to climate change and the company’s progress toward its CO2 reduction goal, its approach to climate change policy, a broad-based electrification strategy, fuel economy and safety technology advances, and human rights initiatives.

Sustainable progress
During 2009 and early 2010, Ford:

• Continued to reduce product CO2 emissions, and remains on target to achieve a 30 percent reduction for new U.S. and European vehicles by 2020, compared to the 2006 model year
• Further reduced its global water use, down 16.6 percent year to year, and became one of the first companies to join the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Water Disclosure program to promote conservation and stewardship
• Delivered on 2006 pledge to double the number of flexible-fuel vehicles produced in the United States by the end of 2010
• Expanded global migration of EcoBoost engine technology, which delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy compared to larger-displacement engines. Ford’s new four-cylinder EcoBoost engine was introduced in Europe and China
• Partnered with Coulomb Technologies to provide free in-home ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations for some of the automaker’s first electric vehicle customers under the Ford Blue Oval ChargePoint Program
• Announced launch of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, the company’s fifth hybrid offering, which is expected to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in North America
• Expanded its lineup of high fuel-efficient, low-carbon-emission ECOnetic vehicles in Europe, including the second-generation Focus ECOnetic.  The Focus ECOnetic with stop-start technology emits just 99 g/km of CO2
• Detailed plans to introduce five new electrified vehicles in North America and Europe by 2013, including two battery-electric and two hybrid vehicles as well as a plug-in hybrid
• Developed a collaboration with Microsoft® on new energy management software that will help owners of plug-in electric vehicles determine when and how to recharge their vehicles, while giving utilities better tools for managing expected changes in energy demand
• Worked with a coalition of 10 utilities, the U.S. Department of Energy, the New York State Energy Research and Development Administration and the Electric Power Research Institute to test drive a fleet of Ford-provided plug-in hybrid vehicles more than 160,000 miles

Sustainable integrity
In drafting the report, Ford consulted with Ceres, a coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations that work with companies on sustainable business practices. The Ceres stakeholder team is an independent group of individuals that represent a range of constituencies with expertise in environmental, social and governance issues.

“Ford’s award-winning sustainability reporting has been enhanced through the years by the its direct and candid dialogue with shareholders, community organizations and other key stakeholders regarding a wide range of sustainability issues, including global climate change, human rights and good governance practices,” said Anne Kelly, co-director of policy program and director for business for innovative climate & energy policy [BICEP] at Ceres, who led the stakeholder team that advised Ford on their 2009/10 Sustainability Report.

Ford issued its first Corporate Citizenship Report in 1999 to address the company’s initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. As industry, the business environment and social expectations continue to evolve, so does the report. In 2004, it was renamed the Sustainability Report to better reflect Ford’s emphasis on the business case for its approach to environmental and social issues. This year’s complete report can be found at www.ford.com/go/sustainability.