Ford Motor Company said today that intends to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050, while setting interim targets to address climate change challenges more urgently. This makes Ford is the only full line U.S. automaker committed – so far – to doing its part to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
This promise came as Ford released its 21st annual Sustainability Report. Ford is also working with California and CARB for stronger vehicle greenhouse gas standards. Ford did not mention its current financial crisis that resulted from the Corona virus plague. (Ford Motor Posts -$2 Billion Q1 Loss )
Carbon neutrality means zero carbon emissions by balancing such emissions with carbon removal. To achieve its goal, Ford will focus initially on three areas that account for approximately 95% percent of its CO2 emissions – vehicle use, its supply base and the company’s facilities.
Ford conceded that the 2050 goal is challenging. Required are:
- customer acceptance,
- government regulations,
- economic conditions
- availability of renewable, carbon-neutral electricity
- and renewable fuels.
“We can develop and make great vehicles, sustain and grow a strong business and protect our planet at the same time – in fact, those ideals complement each other,” claimed Bob Holycross, vice president, chief sustainability, environment and safety officer. “We don’t have all the answers yet but are determined to work with all of our global and local partners and stakeholders to get there.”
Ford said it also is working to develop goals approved and defined by the Science Based Targets initiative for its Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.
- Scope 1 covers direct emissions from company-owned or controlled sources
- Scope 2 addresses indirect emissions from generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by Ford
- Scope 3 emissions speak to in-use emissions from vehicles that Ford sells and emissions from its supply base, among others
In 2019, Ford expanded its climate strategy to find “more effective ways to integrate the wants and needs of people and its business, along with the possibilities of technology, by applying human-centered, design-thinking.”
A cross-functional global Ford team – including the U.S., Europe and China – developed the company’s carbon-neutral promise after analyzing information on the environment, customers, technology, legislation, energy, competitive approaches, life-cycle assessments and other trends.
Ford said it is investing more than $11.5 billion in electric vehicles through 2022, introducing zero-emission versions of some of its most popular nameplates are on the way, including the Mustang Mach-E, which starts arriving in dealerships this year, as well as a Transit Commercial EV and fully electric F-150 coming within 24 months.
The company previously announced its plan to use 100-percent locally sourced renewable energy for all its manufacturing plants globally by 2035. That means energy would come only from sources that naturally replenish – such as hydropower, geothermal, wind or solar.
Electrification
Ford accelerated its plan for electric vehicles during 2019. The company unveiled the Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric Mustang SUV that will be available starting later this year and targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles on a single charge,1 according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates and up to 600 kilometers under Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) regulations.
The company’s Sustainability Report also addresses the issue of social injustice – the weight of which falls disproportionately falls on the African American community and “a matter on which society and corporations can no longer stay silent.”
Ford says it has seen this disparity among its team members affected by COVID-19 and in the legacy of economic disparities in its own home city of Detroit. “There are no easy fixes to longstanding systemic issues. However, Ford is committed to listening, learning and being a leader in co-creating solutions that better the company and society.” Ford said.
Ford also supports Fair and Equal Michigan’s efforts to amend the state’s civil rights law to protect the LGBTQ+ community and continues its commitment to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion.
To learn more about Ford’s commitments go to: sustainability.ford.com.
1 Based on full charge when configured with optional extended range battery and RWD. Actual range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, lithium ion battery age and state of health. Final EPA-estimated ratings available in the 2020 calendar year.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Embraces Paris Climate Agreement Globally
This promise came as Ford released its 21st annual Sustainability Report. Ford is also working with California and CARB for stronger vehicle greenhouse gas standards. Ford did not mention its current financial crisis that resulted from the Corona virus plague. (Ford Motor Posts -$2 Billion Q1 Loss )
Carbon neutrality means zero carbon emissions by balancing such emissions with carbon removal. To achieve its goal, Ford will focus initially on three areas that account for approximately 95% percent of its CO2 emissions – vehicle use, its supply base and the company’s facilities.
Ford conceded that the 2050 goal is challenging. Required are:
“We can develop and make great vehicles, sustain and grow a strong business and protect our planet at the same time – in fact, those ideals complement each other,” claimed Bob Holycross, vice president, chief sustainability, environment and safety officer. “We don’t have all the answers yet but are determined to work with all of our global and local partners and stakeholders to get there.”
Ford said it also is working to develop goals approved and defined by the Science Based Targets initiative for its Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.
In 2019, Ford expanded its climate strategy to find “more effective ways to integrate the wants and needs of people and its business, along with the possibilities of technology, by applying human-centered, design-thinking.”
A cross-functional global Ford team – including the U.S., Europe and China – developed the company’s carbon-neutral promise after analyzing information on the environment, customers, technology, legislation, energy, competitive approaches, life-cycle assessments and other trends.
Ford said it is investing more than $11.5 billion in electric vehicles through 2022, introducing zero-emission versions of some of its most popular nameplates are on the way, including the Mustang Mach-E, which starts arriving in dealerships this year, as well as a Transit Commercial EV and fully electric F-150 coming within 24 months.
The company previously announced its plan to use 100-percent locally sourced renewable energy for all its manufacturing plants globally by 2035. That means energy would come only from sources that naturally replenish – such as hydropower, geothermal, wind or solar.
Electrification
Ford accelerated its plan for electric vehicles during 2019. The company unveiled the Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric Mustang SUV that will be available starting later this year and targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles on a single charge,1 according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates and up to 600 kilometers under Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) regulations.
The company’s Sustainability Report also addresses the issue of social injustice – the weight of which falls disproportionately falls on the African American community and “a matter on which society and corporations can no longer stay silent.”
Ford says it has seen this disparity among its team members affected by COVID-19 and in the legacy of economic disparities in its own home city of Detroit. “There are no easy fixes to longstanding systemic issues. However, Ford is committed to listening, learning and being a leader in co-creating solutions that better the company and society.” Ford said.
Ford also supports Fair and Equal Michigan’s efforts to amend the state’s civil rights law to protect the LGBTQ+ community and continues its commitment to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion.
To learn more about Ford’s commitments go to: sustainability.ford.com.
1 Based on full charge when configured with optional extended range battery and RWD. Actual range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, lithium ion battery age and state of health. Final EPA-estimated ratings available in the 2020 calendar year.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.