Ford Motor Company, the American automotive giant, became the first auto maker to be a part of the voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program that was established in India recently. Ford has been quite helpful and endearing in lending their effort to the cause of greenhouse gas reporting. The car maker is a part of similar programs in various other countries, namely Brazil, Canada, United States of America, Argentina, Mexico and China.
The company has set a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent per vehicle by the year 2025 at all its global facilities, including the two in Chennai in India. In order to achieve this goal, the company has taken various steps in voluntary reporting and maintaining overall transparency.
Ford Motor Company's Director of the Environmental Quality Office Andy Hobbs said, “Ford is pleased to be the first automaker to participate in the voluntary India greenhouse gas reporting program. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and helping to establish greenhouse gas reporting in India.”
The program in India is a combined effort between The Energy and Resources Institute, Confederation of Indian Industry and the World Resources Institute. As the first car maker to join this program, the company will assist in establishing greenhouse gas inventories that are verifiable and credible.
Joginder Singh, President and Managing Director of Ford India, was delighted and proud of the initiative taken by the company. He said, “"Ford India is committed to bringing fuel-efficient and safe vehicles to India that our customers want and value. And we are growing our manufacturing capabilities in India in an environmentally responsible way as part of our One Ford plan. Ford is proud to be the first automotive company to join the voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program in India, and this is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to sustainability of manufacturing operations globally”.
Currently, the plant of the American auto maker manufactures Ford Figo, Ford EcoSport, Ford Fiesta, Ford Classic and Ford Endeavour. In addition, there is an engine plant that manufactures 17 versions of diesel and gasoline engines. Also, the company is engaged in the construction of an engine plant complex and a vehicle assembly in the state of Gujarat. All these facilities reuse 100 per cent of the generated wastewater, which has resulted in the reduction of water usage by 30 per cent per vehicle in the past three years. It has also lowered the consumption of energy by 10 per cent per vehicle.
According to Vivek P. Adhia, Senior Associate – Climate & Energy at WRI India, "Indian Industry has set a powerful precedent in the region, by collaboratively engaging on a multi-stakeholder platform to take the next leap on GHG measurement and management. The program would strive to promote climate stewardship and innovation that would merge core business benefits along with environmental and social agenda."
