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CDP Names Ford Motors in Its Climate “A-List” for the First Time

Cherryl Anne Cruz • January 23, 2020 • 0 • 22

It seems Ford Motor Company’s environmental efforts are starting to pay off. CDP, a non-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, and regions to manage environmental impacts, has just included Ford in its Companies A List 2019 for the first time. This annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is widely recognized as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency today.

“Our people, our customers and our investors expect us to constantly do more to address climate change,” said Bob Holycross, vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “For more than 20 years, Bill Ford, our executive chairman, has been driving us to act more boldly around climate change.

“We believe making great vehicles, protecting the planet and maintaining a strong business are dependent on each other and not mutually exclusive priorities.”

Some of these “bold actions around climate changes” include cutting vehicle emissions, stopping climate risks, and developing the low-carbon economy.

In 2017, Ford announced that it reduced carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing operations by 30 percent for each vehicle produced. This was eight years earlier than their planned target date.

Ford has also invested more than $11.5 billion in electric vehicles, in accordance to the Paris Climate Accord Guidelines on reducing CO2 emissions. They are now in the middle of a vehicle roll out, and is offering customers in North America’s the biggest electric vehicle charging network to-date.

They have introduced zero-emissions options for some of their most successful models, including the Mustang Mach-E and the Ford F-150 (in the near future).

The company has also revealed that they are creating a new global Carbon Reduction Strategy for manufacturing, and will emphasize on renewable energy, low-emission, and energy efficiency. Its main goal by 2035 is to operate all its manufacturing plans globally on 100 percent renewable energy.

First Timer on the List

Meanwhile, Bruno Sarda, president of CDP North America, congratulated Ford “for earning a spot on this year’s Climate ‘A List’.

He also cited how the company is a “model for true corporate sustainability leadership”.

“Climate change is an undeniable business risk if unaddressed and we must transition to a low-carbon economy now to avoid the worst impacts,” said Sarda.

“’A List’ companies know sustainability presents an exciting race to the top, an opportunity to innovate and rethink business as usual, proving that environmental responsibility simply makes good business sense.”