Progressing Sustainability

We believe that freedom of movement drives human progress. Shaped by this belief, we aspire to become the world’s most trusted company, designing smart vehicles for a smart world. Our future is already in motion – we are moving people more efficiently and sustainably.

Our Sustainability Strategy

Our approach positions us to lead in areas with huge potential to revolutionize how people move. We’re building on the strengths that help us stand out, investing in our core business of designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing cars, SUVs, trucks and commercial vehicles.

Our Aims

  • Trusted Company

    To become the world’s most trusted company, designing smart vehicles in a smart world

  • Driving Human Progress

    To provide vehicles and services that help create a better world and facilitate freedom of movement

  • Positive Impact

    To not just lower our footprint but also to develop innovations that make a positive contribution to society

Both William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman and Jim Hackett, President and Chief Executive Officer smiling

It has been 20 years since we produced our first sustainability report but, for us, moving toward a more sustainable world has been a priority from the very start. Our goal is to change the way people move. We don’t have all the answers, but we have the drive and determination to find them. We’ll continue to do things the right way and keep people at the heart of every decision we make. We are building a smarter Ford Motor Company, by Creating Tomorrow Together.”

William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman Jim Hackett, President and Chief Executive Officer

The Next 20 Years

Our Aspirational Goals

We have no plans to slow down, as we aspire to become the world’s most trusted company, designing smart vehicles for a smart world.

  • Access

    We aspire to drive human progress by providing mobility and accessibility for all

  • Climate Change

    We support CO2 reductions consistent with the Paris Climate Accord

  • Air

    We aspire to achieve zero air emissions from our facilities

  • Energy

    We will use 100 percent renewable energy for all manufacturing plants globally by 2035

  • Waste

    We will achieve true zero waste to landfill across our operations

    We will eliminate single-use plastics from our operations by 2030

  • Water

    We will make zero water withdrawals for manufacturing processes

    We aspire to use freshwater for human consumption only

  • Materials

    We aspire to only use recycled and renewable plastics in our vehicles globally

  • Human Rights

    We aspire to responsibly source all raw materials used within our vehicles globally

  • Diversity

    We aspire to become the most inclusive and diverse global company

Reflecting on the Past 20 Years

2018

Ford-owned Autonomic develops the Transportation Mobility Cloud

Find out more about Ford mobility solutions

A soybean plant

Celebrate 10 years of soybean-based foam used in headrests and seatbacks in more than 18.5 million vehicles built in North America

Find out more about sustainable materials

Meet our goal, set in 2010, to reduce operational GHG emissions per vehicle produced by 30 percent (eight years early)

Find out more about energy and emissions

Conduct a formal UN human rights saliency assessment

Find out more about our salient human rights issues

2016

A graphic showing the Sustainable Development Goals

Become a signatory to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

See our SDGs Index

A man pushing a woman sitting in a wheelchair with a go-ride van behind them

Form a new business, Ford Smart Mobility

Become the first OEM to join the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)

Find out more about our human rights partnerships

2015

Develop the Ford Mobility plan, advancing connectivity, mobility, self-driving vehicles and big data

A Ford self-driving vehicle driving in the snow

Begin exploring self-driving vehicle technology

Find out more about self-driving vehicles

A red all-alluminium F-150

Launch the new, lightweight all-aluminum F-150

2014

UN Global compact: The CEO Water Mandate logo

Become a signatory to the UN CEO Water Mandate

Find out more about the CEO Water Mandate

Implement the Partnership for a Cleaner Environment (PACE) program

Find out more about our supply chain collaborations

Announce a saving of more than 10 billion gallons of water

Find out more about water use

2009

An EcoBoost engine

Launch the EcoBoost engine, which optimizes power and efficiency using turbocharging and direct gasoline injection

Find out more about fuel economy

2007

Ford Mustang logo

Launch 2008 Ford Mustang with the first soy foam-based seats and headrests

Introduce SYNC, a hands-free connectivity system

Join the United States Climate Action Partnership and UN Global Compact

See our UNGC Index

2005

Corporate Equality Index, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, 100%, 2005 logo

Human Rights Campaign names Ford a Best Place to Work for LGBT equality and awards a 100 score for the first time

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and equality

2004

Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle

Launch the Escape Hybrid

An arial picture of the Ford Rouge Center

Reopen our Ford Rouge Center with its living roof, daylighting system and waste minimization

2003

A Ford Driving Skills for Life red vehicle with two people inside

Establish the Ford Driving Skills for Life education program

Find out more about our driver safety program

Two people in high-visibility jackets inside of a warehouse

Adopt the Code of Human Rights/Basic Working Conditions

See our Code of Human Rights/Basic Working Conditions

1999

The Corporate Citizenship report: Connecting with society cover

Publish our first Corporate Citizenship report, “Connecting With Society”

“We are in the early stages of exploring what the mobility issue means for Ford now and for the future, and what role the Company can constructively play. As we pursue our corporate citizenship strategy, we will be asking these questions of ourselves and our stakeholders to develop a deeper understanding and sound strategy for the future.”

Sustainable Development Goals

Ford promotes the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by communicating how our vehicles and operations contribute toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have identified several of the goals as being priorities for us:

  • SDG 3: Good health and well-being
  • SDG 4: Quality education
  • SDG 5: Gender equality
  • SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
  • SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • SDG 9: Industry, innovating and infrastructure
  • SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
  • SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • SDG 13: Climate action

We contribute toward meeting those SDGs that most directly relate to our business and where we can add most value. However, such global challenges require effective, multi-stakeholder collaboration at a local, national and international level. As we strive to meet these ambitions, we also call on all our stakeholders and partners to join us in our efforts.