Ford Motor Co. today released its annual sustainability report, which details its global environmental progress and commitment to automotive sustainability. Since 2000, Ford has published sustainability reports to track its approach to managing issues related to climate change, air quality and conservation, and identifying sustainability opportunities, including water stewardship, supplier training, and education.
“We know climate change is real and a critical threat, and we will continue to work with leaders around the world in support of ambitious global greenhouse gas reduction targets,” says Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford. “At the same time, we have the opportunity to make real environmental progress as we move into a world of smart vehicles and smart environments, including car sharing, multi-modal transportation, and dynamic shuttles.”
Ford has collaborated with several other leading organizations over the years to increase the company’s transparency and depth of environmental initiatives, including a recent pledge to the Business Alliance for Water and Climate’s Improve Water Security initiative in June.
This year’s report highlights also include a continued expansion in sustainable materials research efforts through a collaboration with Jose Cuervo to explore the usage of agave plants to develop a sustainable bioplastic material to incorporate into vehicles. Almost 300 vehicle parts are derived from renewable sources such as soybeans, cotton, wood, flax, jute, and natural rubber.
Since 2000, Ford has cut water use by more than 61 percent, with a goal of zero usage of drinkable water in manufacturing. In addition, Ford suppliers who participate in the voluntary Partnership for a Cleaner Environment program are on track to save an estimated 550 million gallons of water over the next five years – enough to fill 837 competition-sized swimming pools, according to data collected in 2016.
Ford also has an ongoing commitment to reduce waste in its manufacturing facilities and has expanded its aluminum closed-loop recycling system to three factories. Now in use at Dearbon Stamping, Kentucky Truck, and Buffalo Stamping facilities, Ford’s system recycles 20 million pounds of military-grade aluminum alloy per month, which can build more than 37,000 F-Series truck bodies.
Ford has also expanded its true zero-waste-to-landfill program to 82 facilities worldwide, including 49 manufacturing facilities and 22 non-manufacturing facilities. This includes the historic Ford Rouge Center in Dearborn and the North American World Headquarters, diverting 240,000 pounds of waste from landfills.
A full version of the report can be read here.