FORD EARNS ITS SECOND "A" GRADE FOR WATER CONSERVATION

• Ford Motor Company receives its second “A” grade for its water management efforts from CDP, the international not-for-profit that drives sustainable economies. Ford’s leadership is celebrated in CDP’s new report Thirsty business: Why water is vital to climate action, out today
• By 2020, Ford plans to reduce water use in vehicle manufacturing by 72 percent compared to 2000 and sets a long-term goal to use zero potable (drinking) water in manufacturing
• From 2000 to 2015 Ford saved 10 billion gallons of water – a 61 percent decrease; the company aims to save an additional 30 percent per vehicle between 2015 and 2020.
• Ford is one of only 24 companies out of more than 600 to earn CDP’s highest honor for corporate action on water security

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 15, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is honored for the second time for its water conservation efforts by CDP, the international not-for-profit that drives sustainable economies.

Ford is one of 24 companies to be awarded an “A” grade for its water management efforts. More than 600 companies were considered for a position on this exclusive global list of corporate leaders. CDP’s new report Thirsty business: Why water is vital to climate action, is being released today.

“The business case for action to improve water security has never been stronger or more urgent,” says Morgan Gillespy, head of water at CDP. “We congratulate Ford Motor Company for achieving a position on CDP’s Water A List. The company is responding to market demand for environmental accountability and at the same time making progress toward achieving a water-secure world. And, as our report shows, this will make a difference to companies working to fulfill their carbon reduction potential and the sustainable development goals.”

Ford is aiming to reduce its water use by nearly three-fourths as it works toward using zero potable (drinking) water for vehicle manufacturing. By 2020, Ford aspires to have reduced its water use per vehicle by 72 percent.

“Water is a precious resource,” says Andy Hobbs, Ford director, Environmental Quality Office. “We recognize that every person has the right to accessible, clean and affordable drinking water, that’s why we’ve established such an aggressive 2020 target. We aspire to have zero water withdrawal for our manufacturing processes and we are proud that CDP is recognizing our efforts to remain a water conservation leader.”

Ford set out to reduce water use starting in 2000 with its Global Water Management Initiative. It saved 10 billion gallons of water between 2000 and 2015, a decrease of 61 percent. The company aims to save an additional 30 percent per vehicle between 2015 and 2020.

Ford has implemented new technologies to save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per year. It is also rolling out real-time water metering to aggressively manage water use and conducts water assessments to determine where new water-saving processes can be executed.

“As we continue to implement our water strategy and move toward increasingly stringent water-reduction goals by 2020, we’re also looking to our suppliers and local communities to do the same,” said Hobbs. “We’re investing in water stewardship projects around the world and will continue to increase our engagement with local communities on water issues.”