Ford sets carbon neutral by 2050 goal, including all manufacturing

New LED lighting at Dagenham will further help reduce energy con
New LED lighting at Dagenham will further help reduce energy con

Ford hopes to become carbon neutral globally by 2050 as the company sets targets to urgently address climate change challenges.

The company announced this ambition as it issued its 21st annual Sustainability Report.

In Europe, Ford is already using 100% green electric energy to power all Ford facilities in the UK, the Craiova plant in Romania, and all facilities in Cologne, Germany, including the vehicle assembly and engine plants. Ford expects that Europe will be among the first global regions to become carbon neutral.

The company previously announced its plan to use 100% 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.

Carbon neutrality refers to achieving 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% of its CO2 emissions – vehicle use, its supply base and the company’s facilities.

Ford said it is setting the 2050 goal fully aware of challenges, including customer acceptance, government regulations, economic conditions and the 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,” said 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 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, while 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.

The 2050 commitment represents Ford continuing to ratchet up more environmentally friendly performance for its products and operations. In 2019, the company 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-centred, design thinking.

A cross-functional Ford team from around the world – including the U.S., Europe and China – developed the company’s carbon-neutral approach after analysing information on the environment, customers, technology, legislation, energy, competitive approaches, life-cycle assessments and other trends.

Ford is investing more than $11.5 billion in electric vehicles through 2022, and the company says it is committed to offering an electrified version of every passenger vehicle it brings to market in Europe and will grow its range of electrified vehicles in Europe to 18 on sale before the end of 2021, including mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Ford www.ford.com

Company

Ford of Britain

Related Articles

Environmentally friendly

Aluminium ingot manufacturer Norton Aluminium has appointed Trevor Bird as its new general manager.
8 years ago News
Most recent Articles

Renishaw highlights career pathways in engineering

There is not one singular blueprint that can lead to a career in the engineering industry. It offers a variety of roles, open to people from diverse backgrounds. To highlight the diversity of skills and experiences in engineering, global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, has created the ‘Employee perspectives’ series.
22 hours ago News

Login / Sign up