Ford gets CDP top grade ranking for water conservation efforts

Ford Motor Company has received the top score for its work on global water conservation from CDP, the world’s only environmental disclosure agency.

Ford is one of eight corporations to receive CDP’s highest honour for its work on water issues, from among more than 400 global companies considered. “The business case for action to improve water security has never been stronger or more urgent,” said Cate Lamb, head of water at CDP. “For this reason we congratulate Ford Motor Company for achieving a position on CDP’s Water A List. Ford is responding to market demand for environmental accountability and at the same time is making progress toward the realiasation of sustainable economies.”

From 2000 to 2014, Ford cut its total global water use by 62 percent, equaling more than 10 billion gallons. The automaker also attained the achievement two years ahead of schedule.

“At Ford, we see water as far more than an environmental concern,” said Andy Hobbs, Ford director, Environmental Quality Office. “Access to clean, affordable drinking water is a basic human right. We have worked diligently to set year-over-year goals to reduce our water use while introducing innovative manufacturing technologies to help us achieve these goals. We are pleased CDP is recognising Ford as a sustainability and water conservation leader.”

While water has historically been a relatively inexpensive resource, its cost is expected to continue to rise. This forecast prompted Ford to establish its Global Water Management Initiative in 2000 to help guide its water conservation work.

The automaker also introduced several new technologies such as a 3-wet paint process and minimum quantity lubrication. Both save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per year.

“Our efforts around water have evolved over the years,” said Hobbs. “We have moved beyond merely reducing the water footprint at our facilities, to working more holistically to address water concerns with our suppliers and in the communities in which we work.

“We understand that as an industry leader with nearly 195,000 employees worldwide, our work has a large-scale, positive impact, and so we are thrilled to know we are heading in the right direction.”